Understanding plate tectonic processes

 New ELI today - 'What do the top and bottom of a tectonic plate look like? Questions to test understanding of plate tectonic processes'.

When asked to draw tectonic plates on cross sectional diagrams, many students have drawn plates deep beneath the surface, thus showing a lack of understanding of plate processes.
This deep question discussion tests understanding not only of the tops of plates but also of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) at the bases of plates, currently the focus of much geoscientific research across the world.
Search the alphabetical index or the keyword search on our website for many more activities related to plate tectonics.

Power sources

'Power through the window; which power source might be built in the view you can see from your window?'

Are you a NIMBY? Pupils are asked to think about which sorts of power source (power station, wind farm or wave power plant) COULD be built in the view through their window – before considering which of them SHOULD be built there.
Many activities about power sources can be found on our website.

Recent research in plate tectonics

This week we have two updates in plate tectonics:
'UPDATE: Recent research in plate tectonics (2020)'
'UPDATE: Follow the Joides Resolution research ship at sea (2020)'

The first activity involves students investigating web-based material aimed at updating their understanding of the nature of the oceanic lithosphere and the processes involved in sea-floor spreading in different oceans.
Similarly, following the Joides Resolution research ship gives web-based resources enabling students to follow the current work of geoscientists at sea.
Many activities about plate tectonics can be found on our website.

Solar eclipse - the Moon hides the Sun

'Why does the Sun disappear? Demonstrate what happens when the Moon hides the Sun'

This activity can be carried out when investigating our Solar system. It compares the relative sizes and positions of the Moon and the Sun in relation to the Earth.
Similar activities can be found in our 'Earth in Space' catgory on the website.

New ELI today 'Where on Earth is no soil found? A ‘deep question’ discussion about soil-formation'.

This activity involves a class discussion to consolidate learning about soil-forming processes.
Many other soil-related activities can be found on our website in teaching strategies. The search engine and alphabetical index can also be used.

The carbon cycle

'The carbon cycle through the window; how much evidence of the carbon cycle can you see through the window?'

The carbon cycle can be introduced when teaching many topics including the atmosphere, photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion and fossil fuels, climate change and so on. Possible answers are provided in the activity.
Many more activities relating to the Earth as a system can be found on our website.

A palaeogeography in your school yard

The new ELI today is 'Playground continents; a palaeogeography in your school yard'.

In this Earthlearningidea, pupils are asked to match a set of specimens or photographs to their probable location on a map of an imaginary continent, drawn on the playground surface or on paper in the classroom.
This topic provides an excellent link between evidence in the geological record for former climatic regimes and modern geography. It could well be run in liaison between the science and the geography departments.
For more activities related to Palaeoenvironments, please refer to our Teaching strategies, the alphabetical index or use the search engine on our website.