Stream Table: Constructive and Destructive Changes to Earth's Surface

Overview

Grade: 8th

Topic: EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (ESS)

Standard: 8.ESS.3: A combination of constructive and destructive geologic processes formed Earth’s surface.

Students learn about different geological process and how a combination of constructive and destructive processes shape Earth's surface by learning about these processes in the context of a river system.

Format

• Watch Stream Table video (11:02)

• Wind Erosion Activity

• Go Outside Activity

• Extensions

Materials

• Small plastic tub with sand (sand should be pushed all to one side of the plastic tub)

• 1 spatula

• Package of paper straws

• Trashcan

• Dust pan and duster

• Goggles

Activity

Instructions: (This activity can be done individually by students remotely or in small groups in the classroom)

Now that students have observed erosion and deposition with water, they will investigate how wind causes erosion and deposition.

1. Each student must wear goggles during this simulation.

2. If working in a group, designate one person to be the wind simulator.

3. Sand in bin should be pushed to one side. Have the wind simulator gently blow through the straw horizontally (the same direction as the table, floor, or counter) at the sand. CAUTION: If you blow downward onto the sand, it will make a mess and the sand will blow into your face. The wind simulation should only take about 30 seconds.

4. Record your observations and determine which processes were observed, and determine if it is a destructive or constructive force.

5. Return the sand to the edge of the plastic bin and clean your area.

After the activity, discuss the similarities and differences between water and wind erosion. What landforms may result from these processes?

*Schedule a follow up virtual Q&A with your county educator to answer further student questions!

Get Outside! Activity

Talk a Walk

Walk around the school as a class or ask students to look around at home or in their neighborhoods for signs of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Have sediments been dropped off in a new place due to heavy rainfall? Do rocks appear broken down due to ice? Document with photos or journal drawings the different signs of change observed. Indicate if the process is destructive (removes sediment) or constructive (adds sediment).

Extensions - What other forces shaped Earth's surface?

Video Plate Tectonics Lesson (8:50)

Plate Tectonics and Volcano Plotting Activity - Investigate the Earth's crustal plates by studying earthquakes and volcanoes. Look at data representing worldwide earthquake and volcano locations given by their latitude and longitude. The goal of this investigation is to map the locations of these tectonic events to see what relationships can be deduced. (MATERIALS: world map colored pencils (2))

Questions

Questions? Please contact your county SWCD educator