Continental drift

'Did the continents move for you?' This Earthlearningidea plots the movement of continents using apparent polar wandering curves.

This exercise can be used in any science or geography lesson about plate tectonic theory and the movement of the continents.
Many more activities related to plate tectonics and continental drift can be found on our website.

Temperatures on Earth in the past - using oxygen isotopes

Today's new ELI+ activity is 'The oxygen isotope sweet simulation; demonstrating how the oxygen isotope proxy records past Earth temperatures'.

Using coloured sweets, the activity simulates how the relative proportions of 16O and 18O can indicate past Earth temperatures.
Many activities for students aged 16 plus can be found on our website.

Limestone karstic scenery - in 60 seconds

Have you tried modelling the chemical weathering of limestone? Try the Earthlearningidea 'Karstic scenery - in 60 seconds' 

This activity can be used in any science or geography lesson and leads into a detailed discussion of karstic scenery and how it develops. There are many other activity ideas related to weathering and to limestone on the website.

Rock cycle at your fingertips

Today's new ELI is 'The rock cycle at your fingertips; modelling the rock cycle with your fingers'

The rock cycle is an abstract concept which pupils can find difficult to understand. For example, when asked how a rock formed, one student responded, “It went through the rock cycle” much as laundry goes through a wash cycle – something that is done to a rock to change it.’ This activity helps to explain the process.
Other teaching ideas about the rock cycle and many suggestions for hands-on activities, can be found on our website.