What makes rocks unique & how can we understand more about them? Students are invited to observe rock properties and conduct investigations to identify characteristics. In this lesson, students are introduced to a few ways that geologists investigate the unique characteristics of rocks. Investigating these characteristics, or properties, can help lead to a correct identification of the rock based on observations. Using water, light, and other common household tools, students will perform scientific tests on rocks that they have collected outdoors or from an existing rock collection. Finally, students are encouraged to share their findings as a group and compare their rock samples.