Recreating the rocks – step by step

The new ELI today is 'Recreating the rocks – step by step: simulating a dipping sedimentary rock sequence though a sequence of Earthlearningideas'.

This teaching strategy can be carried out in the field in front of a dipping sedimentary sequence or in the classroom with an image of such a sequence on a screen. It helps pupils to understand step by step the creation of the sedimentary rocks they can see.
Many more inspirational ideas about how to teach about the landscape around us can be found on our website either by using the alphabetical index or the search engine.

Developing a strategy for evaluating the environment

'Environmental evaluation; developing a strategy for evaluating the environment'

In this activity, pupils are given a scale to use in environmental evaluation, and then asked to apply this scale to different environmental circumstances, that can range from a local small environment to a panoramic view. The objective of the activity is to develop an evaluative approach to environments of all types, which pupils can apply wherever they are in the future.
Many other activities relating to field work and the enironment can be found on our website.

The Lego (TM) method of showing weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition

Today's new ELI is another in our ELI Early years series:
'The Lego^TM method of showing weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition: using Lego^TM bricks to demonstrate sedimentary processes'

The activity for young children demonstrates how different rocks break down at different rates. The sedimentary processes of erosion, transportation and deposition are also explored. It is fun to do but, beware, lots of help will be needed to collect the Lego^TM bricks at the end!
Many more ideas for teaching Earth science to young children can be found in ELI Early years.

Applying ‘the present is the key to the past’

Applying ‘the present is the key to the past’ This is an on outdoor activity to apply the present to the past - using Earth science-thinking in reverse.

This Earthlearningidea is an outdoor-based thought experiment to show how Earth scientists use evidence from rock sequences to understand past environments.
Many more fieldwork activities can be found on our website by using the search engine or the alphabetical index.

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.