Craters on the Moon

Why are the Moon's craters such different shapes and sizes? Click here to download this activity. Around 80% of the Moon’s surface is covered in craters. The largest (on the Moon’s far side) is over 1000 km across, but there are millions of craters which are at least 1m across. We think most craters were caused by meteorites crashing into the moon in the distant past. What controlled the size and shape of these craters? We can model some of the factors by bombarding layers of sand with spherical objects such as glass marbles or ball bearings, and measuring the dimensions of the mini-craters formed.
This is one of hundreds of Earth-related activities to be found on our website. All are designed to be thought-provoking and engaging for pupils.

Evolution of evolution

Our new Earthlearningidea this week is 'Sorting out the evolution of evolution headlines'. This is a timeline/card sort exercise, asking pupils to put cards of ‘milestones’ in the evolution of evolutionary thought into the most appropriate places on a timeline. When they have completed the activity pupils will be able to describe how evolutionary thought developed over time and explain how the idea of evolution was developed through the work of many scientists.
This is one of many activities in our Evolution of Life category - try them out by downloading the activities from our website; they are all FREE.

'Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink'

'Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink' is an ELI activity investigating how to get clean water from dirty 'pond' water. This investigation could be used in any lessons involving discussions about water supply. People have always needed to find clean water to drink. It is a vital factor in where people can live.
The activity is one of many in our Resources and Environment category and can be found, along with many other ideas, on our website.

Amazing technology

Video of a sandbox equipped with a Kinect 3D camera and a projector to project a real-time colored topographic map with contour lines onto the sand surface. The sandbox lets virtual water flow over the surface.
Find out more. 

Perhaps we could use this video to accompany 'Dam burst danger'

Identifying minerals - use your sense(s)!

Identifying minerals - use your sense(s)! - by doing this activity pupils can appreciate that we use several senses in identifying unknown objects, often without realising it. They will be encouraged to use a range of tests on minerals and not to rely on snap judgements based on sight alone. They will have to learn to work co-operatively when many in the group are disadvantaged by being blindfolded. Also they must memorise the properties of several minerals by carrying out tests themselves.
This activity reinforces that minerals are substances of well-defined
composition which have reliable physical properties. They form the “building blocks” of rocks, and it is useful to acquire some understanding of them.
Many thanks to Daniel Reis and fellow students studying for Masters’ degrees in Biology and Geology at the University of Oporto, Portugal who sent us the idea for this activity.
Can you send us another good idea?
This is one of many practical, innovative and enjoyable activities on our website. We publish a new activity every two weeks. Your suggestions, ideas and comments are always welcome - comment on this post or email us.

Sandcastles and slopes

What makes sandcastles and slopes collapse? Ask pupils if they have ever made a big sandcastle. What was the steepest angle they
could build the side walls of the castle? Could they make a steeper wall if the sand was dampened? Questions like these go well beyond the playground or beach. Many people have been killed by the collapse of unstable slopes of loose rock or sand.
This ELI investigates the factors which affect the angle at which loose materials rest before they begin to slide.
This is one of many activities in our Earth energy/processes category. Activities relating to landslides can be found in Natural hazards.

Opengeoscience 2: tilted and folded rocks

The new ELI today is the second of our Opengeoscience activities. By doing this activity, you will be able to find on geological maps:-
- shallow-dipping sedimentary rocks
- vertical rocks
- folded sedimentary rocks
- unconformity
You will be able to explore how geological features appear on maps and how the formations are linked to relief features.
Brilliant resource!
Let us know how you get on.
This activity is the 130th practical Earthlearningidea to be found on our website - search for an Earth-related topic you want to know about.