International co-operation for the translation of ELIs

A successful procedure for taking on-line earth science educational resources from the UK, translating them into Chinese in the United States and disseminating them across China from Lanzhou, using a server in Macau has been put into place.  The original idea is now a reality; this is a landmark occasion for international Earth science cooperation!!
Click on 'Chinese (Mandarin) to see the progress of ELI translations into Chinese. Many thanks from the Earth Learning Idea team to all the people involved in this project.

New ELI - Comparison between the chemistry of the human body and the Earth

Our latest Earth Learning Idea activity is 'What am I made of?'. Pupils make a comparison between the chemistry of the human body and the Earth. First they are asked to assemble a jigsaw puzzle of the elements in the human body. These are in approximately the same proportions as the elements' percentages in the body. Did you know you have the equivalent of nearly a leg-full of hydrogen and the equivalent of a nose full of sulfur? Pupils often don't realise that that are made of the same chemical elements as the rest of the Earth.
Many more activities for all age ranges can be found on our website.

Rock cycle through the window

Have you tried 'Rock cycle through the window; the rock processes you might be able to see - and those you can't'?
Pupils are asked to consider each of the major rock cycle processes in turn and decide whether or not evidence for these can be seen through the window – if so, what evidence?
You might like to reinforce this rock cycle discussion by using the ELI, 'The rock cycle in wax - using a candle to demonstrate the rock cycle processes'.
There are many activities on our website which demonstrate rock cycle processes. Try our search engine to find them.

More Mapwork from models - a cuesta

Today's ELI is 'Geological mapwork from models 2: cuesta with simple geology'. When they have completed this activity, pupils will be able to add geological data to a 3D block model of a cuesta - a ridge with slopes of different angles. They will be able to link up the data with geological boundaries and interpret these into a 3D picture of the geology. There are two versions, one with horizontal strata and one with dipping strata.
By actually making the model and adding the geology, pupils appreciate the link between tough/weak rocks and topography. They learn a lot and enjoy doing it!
There are lots more activities which pupils enjoy on our website.