Monday 25 February 2008

Mighty river in a small gutter - new activity

There are many pupil learning outcomes from doing this activity. Pupils can describe how moving water can both erode, transport and deposit loose sediment of various sizes. They can explain that, in general, it takes more energy to move larger particles than smaller ones. They can describe how small channels fill with sediment and switch and how alluvial fans and microdeltas develop. They can explain why the most dense minerals accumulate whenever the speed of the water slows and they can relate this small-scale investigation to real rivers, such as the Ganges, and understand how a large river might behave when in flood. As you can see, there is lots of potential in this activity - click HERE to view it, either in English or in Spanish.
Don't forget to let us have your comments and suggestions.

Monday 18 February 2008

The formation of sand ripple marks in a tank

Last week we gave you the formation of asymmetrical sand ripple marks by a unidirectional current in a washbowl, so we suspect that a number of you have guessed that this week, the Earthlearningidea is the formation of symmetrical sand ripple marks by an oscillating current in a tank. Click here to view the activity. A video clip is also available, see post below.
As always, please send us your comments and suggestions and any relevant photographs you have. We should appreciate photos of pupils trying out any of these activities.

Video of our latest Earthlearningidea - Sand ripples in a tank



This video is on YouTube. If, however, you cannot access this, the video clip is also available on our website - click here.

Monday 11 February 2008

Video - Sand ripple marks in a washbowl



This is the video demonstration of this activity on YouTube.
Click HERE to view the activity.

Sand ripple marks in a washbowl

We have just published our latest Earthlearningidea, 'Sand ripple marks in a washbowl' - click here to view this activity in English and Spanish. There is also a short video clip.
Ripple marks in sand can indicate the direction of flow of the water. It is possible to work out the direction of flow of the water that created 'fossil' ripple marks, like the ones shown in the photograph. These are asymmetrical ripple marks in Devonian Old Red Sandstone.
Please let us have your comments and further suggestions.

Wednesday 6 February 2008

Progress of Earthlearningidea so far

We now have 135 subscribers to this blog plus 85 people who want to be kept informed of progress. The blog has been accessed by 2483 people from 77 countries all over the world.Of course, we are pleased with the progress of the project so far, but we would still like to reach teacher-training institutions across the world. Please help by sending us contact details of such establishments.
We really want to make a difference to the education of children across the world and to improve knowledge of our Earth. Knowledge about how the Earth works means that people learn how to live and cope with changes and to understand how to use Earth's resources wisely and with care. The planet will continue to exist regardless of what we do, but life upon it depends very much on what we do.

Tuesday 5 February 2008

Special Nature Supplement for IYPE

To celebrate the International Year of Planet Earth, this special Nature supplement explores recent developments and future directions in the Earth sciences. With climate change to the fore, Earth scientists have much to offer society, and these articles explore both our understanding of the planet and how this knowledge can be used to benefit the people who live on it.
There is free access to this supplement for the next 6 months.
We were alerted to this publication by the Nuffield Curriculum Centre, part of the Nuffield Foundation.

Monday 4 February 2008

The rock cycle in wax

Have you ever tried demonstrating the rock cycle processes using a candle? No? Well, here is your chance. Try out our latest, innovative Earthlearningidea. Click here for free download
This activity consolidates understanding of the abstract and potentially challenging concept of the rock cycle. Different rock cycle processes are demonstrated using a candle.
Please try this out with your pupils and let us have your thoughts and comments.

Sunday 3 February 2008

Comments - 'Himalayas in 30 seconds'

The original post and comments on this activity can be viewed here.

There are lots of good animations on the website mentioned by Alan - worth looking at - click here
to view the continent to continent collision.