Rock observation resources

Discovering Geology — Maps and resources

When in the field, a geologist may not know what rock they are looking at so they must make some observations. These observations can then help them identify what
type of rock they have found.

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Fragments of rocks found around Rutland Water, the oolitic limestone is at the top, a green-grey stripy volcanic rock is to the right, then chert (white), quartz (red), ironstone (brown) and granite (grey, white, black, pink). Source: BGS © UKRI

Rock observations activity

When in the field, a geologist may not know what rock they are looking at so they must make some observations. These observations can then help them identify what type of rock they have found.

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Child looks at his collection of semiprecious stones with magnifying glass. © iStock.com/Mila Naumova

My field notebook

A children’s field notebook to download and print for use in the classroom or at home to log rock observations.

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3-grain-sizes

Grain size charts

Use these grain size cards in your observations of sedimentary rocks. You can use them for hand specimens at home or in the classroom, or on rock outcrops outdoors.

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Children looking at thin-section with a microscope. Source: BGS © UKRI

Rocks under the microscope activity

Geologists sometimes use microscopes to identify the rocks they are looking at. This is a skill that geologists use to help them make observations and draw conclusions from the samples they are analysing. Use these worksheets to practise making scientific drawings and observations of rocks under the microscope.

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Rock kit box. © BGS / UKRI

Rock loan kits

We have several rock kits available to loan to schools and educational organisations. These kits are free to use and can be borrowed for up to 4 weeks. 

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Illustration of an electric vehicle. © Shutterstock

Critical raw materials classroom activities

Our modern lives rely on a whole host of metals and minerals that are extracted from the ground. These curriculum-linked lessons are designed to engage pupils with the idea of Critical Minerals.

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