Earth & Space
Our Changing Earth
Students simulate mechanical and chemical weathering, model water erosion on a sugar cube landscape, build layered sedimentary rock from plasticine, and excavate fossil specimens as palaeontologists.
Year 3–4
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
Students simulate mechanical weathering by shaking chalk with sand in a sealed container, comparing how the chalk changes between rounds. They then observe chemical weathering by submerging chalk in double-strength vinegar. Working in pairs, students use a pipette to drip water onto a sugar cube 'cliff' and watch how water flow reshapes the landscape over time. Students layer plasticine in four colours and press it to model sedimentary rock formation, then cut cross-sections to reveal the strata. The session closes with a palaeontology station where students excavate fossil specimens from a sand container and identify real rock specimens from a sample box.
Curriculum outcomes
Victorian Curriculum v2.0 content descriptions addressed in this session.
- VC2S4U06
Investigate how mechanical and chemical weathering break down rocks, and how erosion by water moves weathered material across Earth's surface
- VC2S4U06
Model sedimentary rock formation and fossil preservation using layered plasticine, and connect this to the rock cycle
- VC2S4U08
Discuss how human activities including farming, mining and construction can accelerate weathering and erosion of Earth's surface
Often booked alongside
Physical Sciences
Force & Motion
Students measure forces with a spring balance, test friction across surfaces, feel inertia first-hand, launch reaction rockets, and explore magnetism and static electricity.
Physical Sciences
Heat & Energy
Students investigate how heat moves by observing convection currents, comparing conduction through plastic and metal using an infrared thermometer, and testing how insulators slow heat transfer.
Chemical Sciences
Natural & Processed Materials
Students sort real specimens by origin, process gelatine into bioplastic, test elasticity and shape memory in nitinol wire, and examine absorbency under digital microscopes.
Bring Our Changing Earth to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.