Handson Crayon Rock Cycle

Kids really like this science activity, and it's another low/no cost science lesson.

I first saw this activity here.

Here's what we did:

1. Invite kids to bring in old crayons.
2. Every kid selects 2 or 3 crayons, a plastic sandwich bag, and a pair of scissors.
3. Kids shave crayons with scissors. It takes a llllloooooooong time, but not thousands or millions of years! (The first day I demonstrate the process and kids shave crayons, and that's it for the 40 min. class)
4. To create sedimentary rock, students apply pressure with the heel of their shoe onto the shavings in the baggie.
5. To create metamorphic rock students heat hands with friction and press with hands against baggie.
6. To create igneous rock, shavings can be placed in foil and floated in hot water (this is what I do when I demonstrate) or to melt many crayons in a short amount of time, we use a hair dryer.

There are many different ways that students can record their experience and findings. We do this in our science notebooks. It's a winner. Enjoy!

What activities do your young scientists enjoy?

What science is working for you?