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Rock Weights

Activity

Hands-On Density

Find a variety of rocks of different sizes and textures. Try to guess their weights by touch. Have some items for comparison handy!

a child with pink coat holding two hands outstretched filled with rocks

a person holding a very small stone on two fingers

Science Seed

Density is a way to understand how heavy something is for its size. You can think of it as how much stuff (mass) is packed into a certain amount of space (volume). The formula for density is: (density = mass / volume). For example, if you have two rocks of the same size but one is much heavier, that rock has a higher density because it has more mass in the same amount of space. Different types of rocks have different densities. Igneous rocks, like granite, are usually heavier because they have lots of dense minerals packed in them. Sedimentary rocks, like sandstone, are often lighter because they have fewer dense minerals. Rocks with heavy minerals, like iron, will be heavier than rocks with lighter minerals. Also, rocks that have lots of tiny holes or spaces inside them are less dense and lighter compared to rocks that do not have these spaces.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Ecologist School Pocket Guide: TSBVI edition is a collaboration between Families in Nature and the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired as an effort to help our community learn more about the TSBVI campus, while getting outside into nature together! This booklet has 80 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn, and volunteer on campus!

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.