Is there life in this soil sample?

The new Earthlearningidea today asks questions to consolidate pupil understanding of soil-formation, 'Is there life in this soil sample?'

Soil often looks like a non-living substance that simply covers many parts of the Earth’s surface. However, pupils should be aware that if soil did not contain living material (alive and/or dead) it would no longer be soil, but would just be part of the weathered rock material found on the surface where no obvious life is present. Such non-soil debris is called regolith, as found on mountain tops and polar regions on Earth and also on the Moon or planets like Mars.
Many more activities related to soils can be found by searching the website or listed in Teaching strategies and Children's Fun activities.

Electrical ground probing

Following on from last week's post about remote sensing, this week we have 'Electrical ground probing; measuring the electrical resistance of the ground to find buried objects.'

The activity models the principles involved in surveying by electrical methods. Such techniques are frequently used in mineral exploration or in archaeological surveying. Forensic scientists also use the method to investigate disturbed ground in the search for objects buried by criminals.
Other related ideas can be found on the website.

Modelling remote sensing geophysics

The new Earthlearningidea today is 'Modelling remote sensing geophysics; using a mock gravitometer and magnetometer set up in the classroom'

This activity involves using a mock gravitometer and magnetometer to demonstrate the principles of the remote sensing of gravity and magnetism. It is an ELI+ activity. This method models how density and magnetic anomalies are identified by geophysical remote sensing. Data from such geophysical sensing is used to plot gravity and magnetic anomaly maps, like the ones shown above and explained in the activity.
Similar ideas for teaching Earth science can be found on our website.

A thought experiment to investigate carbon cycle processes

‘Tag’ a carbon atom – and explore the carbon cycle' is an Earthlearningidea thought experiment to investigate carbon cycle processes.

We can ‘mark’ genes with glowing colours to discover how they work – and so can produce mice that glow bright green. We can also tag organisms, from butterflies to whales, to find out about their lives and movement. Help your pupils to understand the carbon cycle by pretending to ‘tag’ a carbon atom so that they can ‘see’ it as it is carried around different parts of the carbon cycle.
Many more activities about Earth's natural cycles can be found on our website.