JPII’s 6th grade science students have been rocking and rolling through two engaging, hands-on lessons that bring geology and environmental science to life! These activities not only made science fun, but also helped students explore the complex relationships between Earth's systems and the processes of the rock cycle in a memorable and meaningful way. 

Starbursts & the Rock Cycle: A Sweet Look at Geology

“In their first lab, students explored the rock cycle using none other than Starbursts candy,” said JPII science teacher, Nicole Schatzle. “With each piece representing different types of rock, students acted as Earth’s forces—cutting the candy for weathering, moving it for erosion, and applying heat and pressure to simulate metamorphic changes.”

This tactile approach allowed students to visualize how rocks transform over time, reinforcing key concepts like sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic processes, Mrs. Schatzle explained. “By physically modeling these changes, students are building a foundation for understanding Earth’s ever-changing surface, which will serve them in more advanced science courses and even in fields like environmental engineering, geology, and earth sciences.” 

Earth in a Bag: Modeling the Interconnected Systems

To deepen their understanding of the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, students created their own mini Earth systems in a bag. Venturing outside, they gathered soil (geosphere), plants (biosphere), water (hydrosphere), and sealed in air (atmosphere) to build a small terrarium. Placed in a sunny window, these bags became living models of how Earth’s systems interact, depend on each other, and work together to sustain life.

“Students observed condensation, plant growth, and ecosystem changes over time, witnessing firsthand how changes in one system can affect the others—a concept central to climate science, ecology, and environmental policy,” said Mrs. Schatzle. 

Why These Lessons Matter

These creative and fun lessons are far more than just classroom activities—they’re essential steppingstones for young scientists. “Students are developing critical thinking, observation, and problem-solving skills, all while engaging their curiosity through hands-on learning,” commented Mrs. Schatzle. “They’re also seeing that science isn’t just something in a textbook—it’s all around them, in the soil, the air, the weather, and even a piece of candy.”

By turning scientific concepts into interactive, real-world experiences, JPII students are gaining a deeper appreciation for our planet and the systems that support it. And with a little fun mixed in, these lessons become the kind that stick with students for life—just like sediment in a rock layer!