What makes mountains?

To answer this question, try our latest Earthlearningidea 'Continents in collision'
This is one of many simple activities for your pupils to try - click here to find more.

NEW - Continents in collision

How did the Himalayan mountains form? Why can you find marine fossils in the rocks at the top of these mountains? Try making this simple model to find out and to explain continents in collision. This latest ELI+ activity models the processes which occur at destructive (convergent) plate margins.
There are many other simple demonstrations to model Earth processes on our website.

Can your pupils explain what this image shows? If not try the latest Earthlearningidea. 'Magnetic stripes; modelling the symmetrical magnetic pattern of the rocks of the sea floor'
There are now a number of activities related to Earth's magnetism on the website. Go to the Keyword Index and search for 'magnetic'.

Magnetic stripes in the oceans?

Our latest Earthlearningidea is 'Magnetic stripes; modelling the symmetrical magnetic pattern of the rocks of the sea floor' This activity demonstrates the origin of the symmetrical magnetic anomalies which occur at oceanic spreading centres. It can be used to aid the understanding of remanent magnetisation in rocks. Periodic reversals of the Earth’s magnetic field are shown by the remanent magnetisation of rocks of the sea bed, which have been used to demonstrate sea floor spreading. It is an excellent way to clarify a difficult concept for your pupils, especially if they are involved in setting up the materials needed.
This is one of many really good ideas from Earthlearningidea - all activities are free to download.

Survival for a year in a dome?

This Earthlearningidea is 'Space survival: how could we survive for a year in a dome?' Tell the pupils that they are to imagine that they will be sealed up for a year in a vast plastic dome, rather like a huge poly tunnel. Remind them that the composition of the modern atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% for the rest, including CO2 (0.03%) with variable amounts of water vapour. The dome is sealed so unless we do something, we shall all die inside; the oxygen content will decrease, CO2 will increase at a similar rate and the sides will steam up due to the water vapour that is breathed out. It is, therefore important to understand the water and carbon cycles. Copies of these could be given to the pupils. They will also need a copy of the nitrogen cycle.
Please send us your pupils' accounts and we will publish the best on the website.
Have you tried the other Earthlearningideas in this category 'Earth as a system'?

Partial melting and plate tectonics

Our latest ELI+ is 'Partial melting - simple process, huge global impact' This simple demonstration leads into an explanation of how partial melting has affected the chemistry of the planet, and the characteristics of igneous rocks and volcanic eruptions. Do try this one - it will answer lots of those puzzling questions!
There are many more Earth-related activities on our website - all free to download.

An eruption through the window?

This image shows the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Have you tried 'An eruption through the window; how could an eruption transform your view? - lava, ash, lahar or something worse'
Picture a large volcano to the left of the window - how would your view be affected by an eruption of the volcano?
- What would you see — and how would this change as the eruption continued?
- What else might you sense — by hearing, smelling, tasting or in other ways?
- How might you be feeling?
- Would you be safe? Would your friends and family be safe?
- What might the view be like after the end of the eruption?
This is one of many 'through the window' activities you can find on our website. Do please send us your pupils' accounts.