Rock grain cut out

'Rock grain cut out; how can you tell which grains come from which rock?'

This cutting out and pasting activity is designed to encourage pupils to think carefully about the characteristics of rock grains and how they fit together, in the three major rock groups. It is also useful if you do not have many hand specimens.

There are many Earthlearningidea activities about the three major rock groups and how to identify them. Use the search engine or alphabetical index on the website.

What drives the plates? In slab pull, what is it that pulls?

The new ELI today is 'What drives the plates? In slab pull, what is it that pulls? Understanding how slab pull works through examining the data'.

This activity uses the diagram shown above giving rock densities. A series of questions prompt pupils to study the diagram carefully and so aid their understanding of the slab-pull plate driving mechanisms.

More activities about plate tectonics can be found on our website by using the search engine or the alphabetical index.

Soil erosion

'Why does soil get washed away? Investigating why some farmers lose their soil through erosion whilst others do not'

This activity investigates the effect of vegetation cover in protecting soil from erosion in heavy rainfall. Soil erosion is a normal part of the natural rock cycle, but it can become a major problem in many rural areas where people depend on the land for their livelihood. This activity provides the opportunity to investigate some of the factors involved in limiting soil erosion. You can see the activity in action in this short video clip.

There is also an extension activity about painting with soil

 

Evidence for the different plate tectonic driving mechanisms

 The new ELI today continues our series about plate driving mechanisms:

'What drives the plates? The evidence
Examine the evidence for the different plate tectonic driving mechanisms'

In this activity, plate data is used to judge the different theories about plate-driving mechanisms.

Many activities related to plate tectonics can be found on our website by using the alphabetical index or the search engine.

Today's post is all about 'What drives the plates'. This activity is the first in a series exploring the new evidence for the main driver of plate movement.

'What drives the plates? Using a pupil model to demonstrate that slab pull is the main plate-driving force'

 

 

This activity considers the different processes likely to be driving plate movement by use of a pupil model. There is a teaching video explaining this activity.

Many more activities and videos about plate tectonics can be found on our website.

Future power: predicting the mix of future power source contributions

The new ELI today is 'Future power: predicting the mix of future power source contributions: extrapolating from the last 50 years of power use to realistically predict the next 50 years'

It is difficult to make realistic predictions of future energy use. This activity challenges pupils to undertake realistic modelling of future sources of power based on past data. This ELI can be used as in individual activity or for discussion by groups in the class.

Many other Earhlearningideas related to power sources can be found on our website by using the search engine or alphabetical index.

Weathering of rocks in a desert environment

'Cracking apart; simulating the weathering of rocks in a desert environment'  (This is an ELI+ activity because it requires the use of a Bunsen burner)

In this activity, small chips of granite and other rocks are heated in a Bunsen flame and then rapidly cooled in water. This is repeated to investigate the rate at
which they ‘weather’ by breaking apart.

Weathering may be studied in a science lesson in the context of the physical processes involved or when considering landscape development in a geography lesson. Many activities about all types of weathering can be found on the website.