Ice power

'Ice power; freezing water in a syringe to measure the expansion'

This activity may be used in either science or geography lessons on weathering. It can also be used in discussions of molecular theory and changes of state. For the most accurate measurements, use pure (distilled or de-ionised) water at as near to 4 degrees C as possible.
More innovative ideas of how to teach weathering or glaciation can be found by searching our website.

Mineral or not?

New ELI today is 'Mineral or not? Discussion about what is a mineral and what is not'.

This activity is centred around pictures or samples to enable pupils to distinguish between a mineral in the Earth science sense and other ways in which the term is commonly used. There is much confusion about what the word means.
Many other activities about minerals can be found on our website.

The rock game

‘Rockery 1’ is a rock game in which pupils model the different characteristics of rocks.

This activity helps children to remember the fundamental differences between rock types. Many more activities about rocks can be found on our website.

Minerals or rocks used in everyday objects

The new ELI today is 'What is it made of? Relate each mineral or rock to the everyday object containing it.'

This activity shows the presence of geological resources in many of the things used in our daily lives.
You can find many other ativities about minerals on our website by using the search engine or the alphabetical index.

Sedimentary structures - graded bedding

'Sedimentary structures - graded bedding: make your own graded bed – one depositional event, but with coarse to fine sediment'

This ELI is a teacher demonstration (or a small group activity) showing the origins of graded bedding. It can be used in any lesson dealing with the origin of sediments and the interpretation of past environments.
Our website has many more activities related to sedimentary structures.

When are soft rocks tough, and hard rocks weak?

New ELI today - 'When are soft rocks tough, and hard rocks weak? A discussion about the toughness/resistance of rocks in different places'

The simple idea, which generally holds, of tough rocks forming hills and headlands and weaker rocks, valleys and bays, does not always apply. This activity looks for evidence of when and why it is not always true.
Many activities related to rock resistance can be found on our website.

Bringing a fossil 'back to life'

A popular ELI is 'Running the fossilisation film backwards; bringing a fossil ‘back to life’'

This is a thought experiment, including possible re-enactment, to recreate the likely ‘final moments’ of an animal which later became a fossil. The activity provides examples of how to ‘run the fossilisation film’ backwards to help pupils to visualise what a fossil may have looked and acted like during life and in the few moments before death.
Many more fossil-related activities can be found on our website.