Rocks and Soils

This course provides outdoor and indoor practical experiences to explore the properties of rocks an soils. Activities provide learning opportunities to discover the science content of the Key Stage Two programme of study and include links to other areas of the curriculum.

the Pelham Centre for Environmental Education and the Daws Hall Reserve have a large collection of rock and fossil samples, while the soils at Daws Hall, in particular, varies from sandy, free-draining and acid to alkaline silty loams close to the river.

Course Content:
Underneath all ground surfaces lie rocks whether or not we can see themRocks are naturally occurringRocks are broken down to pebbles and soil by natural processesRocks and soils have a variety of different characteristicsRocks are used for a variety of different usesSoils are made of natural materialsImportance of testing ideas using evidence gained from observation and measurement.

Activities:
Investigate different rocks and their properties
Look at fossils and imagine what the original organism looked like
Explore the components of soil, including the use of soil sievesTry to create your own soil
Search for minibeasts that rely on soil for food and shelter
Use clay to make 3-D models or faces on trees
Play the 'did it come from under the ground' game

Links to National Curriculum:
Science
Geography
Art
Numeracy
Literacy (communication)
PSHE

Duration:
This course can be run as a half or full day unit and can take place throughout the year.

For more information, or to contact our staff, call us on 01245 223342, or click here to send us an email.