Earth studies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The new ELI today - 'Finding the Earth in the UN Sustainable Development Goals: map for yourself the areas where Earth studies are linked to the UN SDGs'

This activity is a mapping exercise to work out where geoscience is an important part of meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
More activities related to the environment can be found on our website in Teaching strategies.

What are trace fossils?

'Trace fossils – burrows or borings; what evidence do living organisms leave behind in rocks?'

This activity invites pupils to apply previously learned observations about the features of modern bivalve shells to the fossil record. Adaptations to different habitats are reflected in the shell structure of bivalves. This understanding is applied to working out what ancient environments were like from the trace fossils left behind by similar organisms.
Many activities related to fossils can be found in the Evolution of Life category on our website.

Rock cycle explained by plate tectonics 2

The new Eli today is 'The deep rock cycle explained by plate tectonics: deformation and metamorphism. A model showing how plate tectonics can explain metamorphism and rock-deformation'.

This activity involves a simple model to show how, as the subduction of plates causes continents to move towards one another (converge), the sediments in between are deformed into mountain chains with roots; the rocks in the root zones become regionally metamorphosed.
Many activities related to the rock cycle, plate tectonics, metamorphism and deformation can be found on our website by searching the alphabetical index of by using the search engine.

Sink holes

'Sink hole! Demonstrate sink hole processes in action'

Sink holes commonly form over limestone bedrock, but also develop where the underlying materials are even more soluble, such as rock salt and gypsum deposits. This classroom activity models the dissolving of underground materials and the impacts this can have at the surface.
Many other innovative teaching ideas can be found on our website.

Rock cycle explained by plate tectonics

The new ELI today is 'The deep rock cycle explained by plate tectonics: lithification'.

A simple model used to show how, as plates carrying continents are moved apart by plate tectonics, the sediments in between sag into a deepening sedimentary basin giving quicker lithification processes.
This activity will be followed by how plate tectonics can explain deformation and metamorphism.
Many activities related to both the rock cycle and to plate tectonics can be found on our website.

Odd bumps on the bases of sedimentary beds

'Sedimentary structures – load casts; interpreting odd bumps on the bases of beds'

The activity is part of a series on sedimentary structures and the ways in which they can be used to interpret past conditions. You can find other related activities by using the search engine or scrolling down in the alphabetical index on our website.

Sorting, naming and putting rocks into the rock cycle

Today's new ELI is "From ‘Rock detective’ to ‘Laying out the rock cycle’: investigate rocks to sort them into groups, add them to the rock cycle and name them"

This activity uses sorting cards to link two Earthlearningideas together - ‘Rock detective’ and the ‘Laying out the rock cycle'.
By doing this pupils can investigate a range of rocks from first principles, identify and name them and then build understanding of them in a rock cycle context. It helps them to name rocks, not just by recognising them but by using first principles of observation and investigation.
A variety of activities about rock types and the rock cycle can be found on our website by using the alphabetical index.