'The present is the key to the past'

The ELI today involves applying ‘The present is the key to the past’. It is an outdoor activity using Earth science-thinking in reverse.

This activity helps pupils to build a picture of the past from the evidence preserved. It is one of many field work activities available to download free of charge from our website.

Putting geological events in chronological order

The new ELI today is 'Questions for any rock face 10 - sequencing; what questions about sequencing geological events might be asked at any rock exposure?'

The questions provided help pupils to sequence events using ‘relative dating’ methods.
Related activities to this are listed on the home page of our website.

What evidence do living organisms leave behind in rocks?

'Trace fossils - burrows or borings' Living creatures often leave behind evidence of their activity in rocks, even if their actual remains are not found as body fossils. Clues may be obtained from living examples, which we can study in their modern habitats.

In this activity, pupils are invited to apply previously learned observations about the features of modern bivalve shells to the fossil record.
Many more activities related to fossils can be found on the website.

What questions about metamorphism can you ask when looking at any metamorphic rocks?

The new ELI today is 'Questions for any rock face 9: metamorphic rock; what questions about metamorphism might be asked at any metamorphic rock exposure?'

Take your pupils to an exposure of metamorphic rocks where the features are clearly visible and preferably, where there is also evidence of the former rock type, and ask the questions provided. The answers will help pupils distinguish metamorphic rocks and understand the processes by which they formed.
Other related activities associated with metamorphism can be found on the website.