A TEAM OF UP TO: 2 APPROXIMATE TIME: 40-50 Minutes

EVENT PARAMETERS: With the exception of pens or pencils, fingernails, and hand lenses, only those tools provided by the supervisor may be used. Participants may bring any student developed or purchased reference materials that fit within the confines of an area no larger that 12” x 12” x 3”.

THE COMPETITION:

1. Equal time intervals, as determined by the supervisor, will be allotted for each station (e.g., 40 one- minute tasks, 15 three-minute tasks, or any other equal increments of time. When the start signal is given, participants will begin work at their initial station. A signal will indicate when participants are to move to their next station. Participants may not continue onto the next station until prompted to do so, may not skip stations, nor return to any previously visited station. Participants are permitted to edit or complete any written statements initiated at any previous station at any time during the time allotted.

2. Specimens and accompanying materials placed at the various stations by the supervisor may not be transported to other stations.

3. HCI will not be provided, nor may it be brought to or used during the competition. Written descriptions as to how a specimen might react were it to be tested with HC1 may, at the discretion of the supervisor, be provided.

4. Specimens include all major rock and mineral groups; intrusive, extrusive, and pyroclastic igneous rocks; foliated and nonfoliated metamorphic rocks; clastic, organic, and chemical sedimentary rocks, and mineral classifications - sulfides, oxides, carbonates, etc. Only those specimens appearing on the official NSO list (see www.soinc.org) will be used in the competition with the following exception: Tournament Directors may include up to five additional specimens important to their own state. If additional specimens are included, all teams must be notified six weeks before the tournament.

5. Responses may be in the form of multiple-choice, matching, short answer, sequencing, etc.

REPRESENTATIVE STATION ACTIVITIES:

2. Granite may vary in both color and texture. Identify two characteristics all granites share.

3. Identify the parent rock of each metamorphic rock at this station.

4. Classify each sedimentary rock at this station according to texture using the terms elastic, crystalline, and bioclastic.

5. Use the spring scale, water, and calculator to determine the density of this mineral. Use the appropriate formula and show your work.

SCORING: Places in this event will be determined by the highest total score. Values of questions may be weighted. A minimum of three pre-identified questions will serve as tiebreakers.

Recommended Field Guide: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals and SO Rock and Mineral Teaching Guides at www.soinc.org and Sample References:

Minerals by Name: http://rnineral.galleries.com/minerals/by-name.htm

Sedimentary: http://www.wilson.wnyric.org/t/drobisonllabshare/SteVekludge/Sedimefltalyid.Pdf

Igneous: http://www.wilson.wnyric.org/t/drobison/labshare/stevekludge/igneousid.pdf

Metamorphic: http://www.wilson.wnyric.org/t/drobison/labshare/SteVeklUdge/metamorPhicld.Pdf