Year 4
1.5 - 2 hours
Big idea
Explore natural processes and human activity that cause weathering and erosion in a local area of the Earth's surface.
Curriculum links
Science, HASS (Geography) - see matrix for more details.
Program overview
The Here Today, Gone Tomorrow incursion program supports students in their understanding of how erosion occurs, by providing them with a real-life opportunity to explore erosion resulting from the action of natural processes and human activity in their school grounds*.
During their incursion, students participate in two activities that enable them to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to identify where and why erosion is occurring within their school grounds, and to consider and offer solutions to the erosion problems encountered. These activities are described below:
Earthwalk
A walk led by a Bunyaville Environmental Education Centre teacher, connects students with their classroom learning to their school grounds. Earthwalk activities are tailored to the specific curriculum needs of the classroom teacher and provide students with opportunities to apply science/geography inquiry skills and higher order thinking in a real world context. Typically, students explore areas of the school looking for evidence of erosion, discussing natural and human causes for its occurrence and investigate the impacts of erosion on these places.
Investigating Earth's Strata
Students participate in hands on investigations as to how rocks break down to produce soil, through the production of ochres. Students use the ochre rocks to make an Earth Cake and discuss the importance of vegetation in preventing soil loss in the environment.
Students also undertake an activity (paper mountain) to revise the water cycle and understand the impact water has on the erosion process.
* Please note: this incursion can also take place in a public space close to your school grounds. This can be considered in negotiation with the Bunyaville Environmental Education Centre teacher at your Pre-visit.
For this program you will need to refer to the relevant Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment.