Unit 20: SOS - Save Our Sites
In this Science of the Earth unit from the Earth Science Teachers' Association, students are introduced to earth science conservation using a problem-solving and case study approach. Through these activities they develop understanding of the importance to earth scientists of geological exposures and that such exposures can be…
Unit 19: The Day the Earth Erupted - Volcanoes
In this Science of the Earth unit from the Earth Science Teachers' Association, students look at two contrasting volcanic eruptions and the plate tectonic explanation for the differences. Students develop an understanding of how vocanoes 'work' and the different types of eruption and why they are different. They also…
Unit 18: Salts of the Earth
In this Science of the Earth unit from the Earth Science Teachers' Association, students are introduced to some minerals which are produced naturally by the evaporation of sea water. They consider the geological evidence for the origins of evaporite minerals and develop awareness of the origins of common salts and plate tectonic…
Hidden Changes in the Earth
This resource, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association consists of three units which investigate the effects of heat and pressure on rocks through a series of practical assignments. Many of the activities are suitable for group work, although some may be set as homework. The three units are: HC1: Overheated -…
Groundwork - Introducing Earth Science
This resource, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association provides students with an introduction to earth science, starting with learning to distinguish between minerals, rocks and fossils. Many of the activities are suitable for group work, although some may be set as homework. The resource consists of three units: *GW1:…
Unit 15: Geothermal Energy
This series of resources, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, helps students gain a greater understanding of earth science. Extensive teacher guidance and student materials encourage an investigative approach to the subject. Areas covered include: • geothermal as a renewable energy • convection…
Rock Formation and Deformation
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these materials help students understand rock formation and deformation. Activities look at topics which include: • Weathering • Sedimentary structures • Porosity • Modelling deformation in rocks • Metamorphism • The rock cycle •…
Unit 12: Which Roadstone?
These materials, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, look at the use of different rocks for the production of road surfaces. Students look at the construction of roads and investigate the properties of different rocks and analyse which applications they are suited to.
Unit 11: The Water Cycle
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these materials look at the water cycle and the processes involved, such as evaporation, condensation, transpiration and precipitation.
Unit 1: Will My Gravestone Last?
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources help students to identify simple rock types and encourage the observation of weathering properties of rocks. Activities include a visit to a local graveyard to survey the commemorative stones used.
Unit 17: Cool it - Liquid Magma to Solid Rock
These materials, from the earth Science Teachers' Association, introduce the concept of kinetic theory and relate it to the formation of igneous rock. Students see how the rate of cooling and crystal size relate to the formation of igneous rocks.
Geological Changes - Earth's Structure and Plate Tectonics
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these activities allow students to investigate the Earth's structure and plate tectonics. Activities include simulation of density contrasts in the earth's structure, earthquakes and seismic waves, ocean floor spreading and continental drift.
Changes to the Atmosphere
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these materials help students understand atmospheric processes and their impacts on terrestrial environments. Activities investigate phenomena such as the water cycle, temperature changes in solids and liquids, air convection, the carbon cycle, changing atmosphere and the…
Unit 14: Who's for a Hot Tight Squeeze in Inner Space?
Produced by the Earth Science teachers' Association, these resources aim to help students understand the economic benefit derived from the use of natural raw materials. In doing so, students gain an understanding of obtaining materials from rocks and also the temperatures and pressures operating underground which can produce…
Unit 13: The Geological Timescale
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these materials help students understand the scale of geological time through diagrams and models.
Unit 10: Astrogeology and the Clues on the Moon
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources look at the geology of the moon and how processes such as impacts have shaped its landscape.
Unit 8: Moving Ground
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources help students to understand that land movements occur in Britain and investigate the factors that lead to ground failure. Students consider how potential failures can be managed.
Unit 7: Neighbourhood Stone Watch
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources encourage students to observe different rock types in their local environment. This includes the simple laboratory tests on the properties of different rock types and an appreciation of the range of rocks used in buildings.
Unit 3: Fluorspar - Is it Worth Mining?
These materials, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, contain activities which allow students to identify common minerals. In relation to fluorspar, students develop an understanding of the economic potential of mineral deposits and reserves.
Water Overground and Underground
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources look at water supplies. Students consider the permeability of rocks when seeing how to supply water in an arid environment. They look at waste disposal and groundwater pollution and conclude with a case study on the factors involved in the siting of a dam…
Steps Towards the Rock Face - Introducing Fieldwork
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources show students how to prepare for fieldwork and perform a group survey of geologically-interesting points in their immediate locality. The resource consists of three units: FW1: Thinking it through - indoor preparation for fieldwork, including discussing…
Power from the Past: Coal
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these materials look at how coal deposits were formed from vegetation and how layers of sediment produce seams in coalfields. Students also investigate how coal can be separated from waste rocks during the reclamation of spoil tips.
Magma - Introducing the Igneous Processes
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources start by looking at the viscosity of liquids and relate this to magma involved in volcanic eruptions. They go on to show the properties of magma and the resultant landscapes that are formed as well as how cooling rates influence the rocks formed.
Bulk Constructional Minerals
Part of the Earth Science Teachers' Association collection, these materials help students look at the use of bulk raw materials in construction. Practical activities look at materials such as granite, slate, limestone, gravel, sand and clay. Other resources enable students to look at where bulk materials are obtained from…
Earth's Surface Features
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these materials encourage students to search for patterns on the Earth, through the use of maps and photographs. This increases students' awareness of major features on both land and under the sea.
Routeway: Solving Constructional Problems
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources examine how the properties of rocks and local geological features need to be considered when constructing roads. Students investigate the properties of different building materials before looking at the influence of geology on route planning, success and…
Rocks in the Sheffield General Cemetery
This publication, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, shows how igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks have been used in a city cemetery. It illustrates how rocks are used for building, decorative and commemorative purposes.
Second-hand Rocks - Introducing Sedimentary Processes
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources introduce students to the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Students look at the effects that flowing water, ice and wind have on sediments and the formation of the landscape. They see how sediments become cemented and are then broken…
Power Source: Oil and Energy
These materials, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, look at oil and gas and their use as an energy source. Students survey energy resources for a developing country. They look at the formation, migration and trapping of oil and gas deposits as well as their detection and extraction.
A Teachers' Guide to the 'Science of the Earth' Approach
This booklet, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, describes the contents of their 'Science of the Earth 11-14' series of resources.
Moulding Earth's Surface - Weathering, Erosion and Transportation
Produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, these resources look at how surfaces are produced by the breaking up of rocks and transport by water. The influence of different rock types on the development of landscapes is also considered.
Life from the Past - Introducing Fossils
These materials, produced by the Earth Science Teachers' Association, enable students to understand fossils and the process of fossilisation. Students look at how living organisms become fossilised using plaster of Paris 'fossils'. Students then consider how the fossil record can be used to deduce previous environments…