The Case of the Questionable Building Material

Your Assignment: You and your group have been chosen by the Cool Building Committee to figure out if the Weak Construction Company (WCC) is using a faulty building material in the construction of a new monument for the town.  The town has contracted WCC to construct a new rock monument to commemorate Cool's Founding Fathers.  The concern is that WCC wants to use limestone as the construction material, and the Building Committee is not sure that it is suitable for a monument.  Working in groups of three, designate one person as recorder, one as timekeeper, and one as computer operator.  As you advance through the steps, take turns at each job.

Step 1:  You need some information about "rocks."  So, let's check out the rock cycle.  But first, before you begin, learn  how to use the Google search engine.

Now, let's check out the rock cycle.   Use Google and type in a keyword like "rock cycle".  Do not be alarmed when you find out it has located 493,000 sites for "rock cycle".  This just means you need to refine your search using Google.  All search engines have similar help pages for refining searches.

As Search Sleuths in training, you must keep a very complete journal of what web sites you visit, how you found them, and how you know they have correct information.  Check out the evaluation page so that you know what is expected from your group.  Keep good records.  Good luck!

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Step 2: Now that you have some information about the rock cycle, let's look for clues as to what types of rock are suitable as building material for monuments.  Answer the following questions using an internet search (see the tips below):

1.  What is a rock?
2.  What is a mineral?
3.  What is a crystal?
4.  What are the characteristics of metamorphic rock?
5.  What are the characteristics of sedimentary rock?
6.  What are the characteristics of igneous rock?

Tips:  Brainstorm with your fellow Search Sleuths key words in each question.  Try several different search engines this time, to see if you get better results with a certain search engine.  You may also want to check out an online encyclopedia like Encarta, or check out a list of online encyclopedias.  Keep good records.  Good luck!

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Step 3: Now that you have information on rocks, and you know something about their characteristics, let's find out what types of rock have been used on other monuments.  Work with your fellow Sleuths to come up with a list of monuments (like the Washington Monument, Pyramids), and then do a search on the Internet to see if you can find web sites for the monuments and if they have information on the building materials used.  Keep good records.  Good luck!

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Step 4: By now you know of different types of rock used on specific monuments.  So, it is time to decide whether WCC is using a suitable material.  Working with your fellow Sleuths, check the Internet for sources about the different materials used for the monuments.  Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of each type of rock used.  Keep good records.  Good luck!

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Presentation: Create a PowerPoint presentation to show your findings to the building committee.  The slide presentation should include information on:

• The rock cycle.
• The 3 types of rock.
• Characteristics of the 3 types of rock.
• Examples of monuments that are built of rock.
• Advantages and disadvantages of using one type of rock verses another as a building material for a monument.
• Your findings as to the suitability of limestone as a building material for the monument.

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Introduction