Learn the properties of rocks by looking closely, scratch-testing and dripping water on them, then sort granite, chalk, slate and more into groups.
Year 3 science · 1
Year 3 science · 1
Year 3 science · 1
Year 3 science · 1
Year 3 science · 1
What the chapters cover in the national curriculum in England:
Properties of Rocks is an interactive science game that teaches children aged 7–9 to compare and group different kinds of rocks by their appearance and simple physical properties, matching the Year 3 rocks objective in England's national curriculum.
Guided by Pebble, a friendly talking stone, players explore eight rock types: granite, sandstone, chalk, slate, marble, pumice, limestone and flint. They drag a magnifying glass to spot grains and crystals, scratch rocks with a nail to find out which are hard or soft, and use a dropper to see whether water soaks in.
Along the way they learn key words like permeable (lets water in) and impermeable (keeps water out), tackle common mix-ups such as thinking brick is a natural rock, and finish with a ten-question Rock Detective Challenge.
The properties of rocks are the things you can notice or test about them, such as colour, texture, shine, hardness and whether water soaks in. Scientists use these properties to compare rocks and sort them into groups.
Permeable rocks let water soak into them, while impermeable rocks keep water out. Chalk and sandstone are permeable, but granite, slate and marble are impermeable, which is why slate is used for roof tiles.
No, not all rocks are hard. Chalk is soft enough to scratch with a fingernail, sandstone can be scratched with a nail, and granite and flint are hard enough that a nail leaves no mark.
This rocks game is designed for children aged 7 to 9, especially Year 3 pupils in England. It follows the Year 3 science objective on comparing and grouping rocks, and is also useful for older children who want a refresher.
The game has five hands-on chapters and a ten-question final challenge, and takes around 35 minutes to play through. Children can start with any chapter, and there is a short warm-up on property words for those who need it.
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