In this lesson, students will learn about weathering and erosion, their roles in shaping the natural environment and ways we can protect our soil and water resources from erosion.

This lesson includes ONE interactive activity and ONE demonstration:

The Rock Cycle Activity:

This interactive activity uses starburst candies to demonstrate the three main types of rock- sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous- and how they form and transform in the rock cycle.

Erosion Demonstration:

This demonstration allows students to observe and compare how different ground covers- bare soil, soil with leaves, and soil with mulch or other detritus- affect runoff and erosion.

---

State Science Standards (2023)

Elementary School (K-5 Grade)

K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-2, K-ESS3-3, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3, 2-LS2-1, 2-ESS1-1, 2-ESS2-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS3-2, 5-PS2-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-ESS2-1, 5-ESS3-1

Middle School (6-8 Grade)

MS-LS1-6, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-5, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ESS1-4, MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-2, MS-LS4-1, MS-ESS2-4, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4