When a plate descends beneath another plate it is called subduction. To represent the natural world by creating models and analyzing their limitations. In this windows to the universe activity, students use these. Plate boundary description landformsfeatures materials. These plates ride on the hot plastic upper mantle known as the asthenosphere. This snackable plate tectonics lab provides the perfect combination of science rigor and fun. What can you do with fruit rollups, graham crackers and frosting in your science class. Plate tectonics lab station activity teach science. Take two pieces of dry crackers and place them side by side on the frosting. This graham cracker plate tectonics lesson plan is suitable for 7th 10th grade. Graham cracker plate tectonics lab stepbystep photo. Name date class period snack tectonics lab exercise.
The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate interactions of plate boundaries. This theory also says that most of these plates are in. Getting ready our summer travels led us to several volcanoes so naturally my what others are saying. With these photoenhanced instructions, you wont need to lead your students through the lab. Graham cracker plate tectonics lab just a little info the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of seven major plates and numerous smaller plates.
Plate movements introduction the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of less than twenty separate plates that float on the hot plastic mantle of the inner earth. Graham cracker plate tectonics lab stepbystep photo instructions print out sets of these stepbystep photo instructions to help your students successfully model plate tectonic activity using graham crackers, cake icing and fruit rollups. Graham cracker tectonics this is another fun activity with a sweet treat reward at the end. I have copied the picture and information for continental drift front to back, and the picture and information for plate tectonics front to back. Each piece of graham cracker represents a continental plate. Microsoft word graham cracker plate tectonics lab activity. Gently push graham cracker towards the ocean plate fruit roll up until the two overlap. Place the crackers onto the frosting with wet edges touching each other. Movements deep within the earth, which carry heat from the hot interior to the cooler surface, cause the plates to move very slowly on the surface, about 2 inches per year on average. Buy wax paper, knives, frosting, fruit rollups, and graham crackers. Graham cracker plate tectonics plate tectonics, earth.
Graham cracker tectonics by bryce hixson this lab is an introduction to the boundary zones between tectonic plates and how we currently believe they are formed. Dec 04, 2011 place the graham crackers on opposite sides of the plate. Break one whole graham cracker into two square pieces by following the perforations. Dec 17, 2018 this snackable plate tectonics lab provides the perfect combination of science rigor and fun. Learn how earths tectonic plates interact in this delicious activity. Plate movement directly affects the destruction of earths surface because the more dense plates sink causing a trench where the plates are thoroughly destroyed. Stepbystep powerpoint for both you and your students total of 7 steps, pictures of student expectations is included. Use only two of the pieces for part 3, saving the other two for part 4. In this activity, ocean plates are represented by fruit roll ups and continental crust is represented by graham crackers. To introduce, model, and demonstrate how earths plates move.
Founded in 2002 by nobel laureate carl wieman, the phet interactive simulations project at the university of colorado boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. Students use graham crackers and icing to represent and observe how tectonic plates behave. The theory also states that the motion of these plates creates a variety of interactions at the plate boundaries. Give each student a paper plate covered in frosting and several graham cracker squares. Label drawing as to what each item represents in terms of earth layers or processes of plate tectonics. Break the graham cracker on its seam to make 2 rectangles and place the 2 rectangles, touching, on top of the frosting. These plates ride on the hot plastic upper mantle called the asthenosphere. Plate tectonics lab doral academy preparatory school. The children will experience the grinding and clashing of the earths plates by using an incredible, edible model. This video walks through the gram cracker plate tectonics lab.
Break the other whole graham cracker in half, and then break each half in half again so you have 4 pieces. Dip one end of each of the two graham crackers into a cup of water about 2 cm. Dip one end of each of the two graham crackers into a cup of. To identify and demonstrate the forces that shape the features of the earth 2. Second grade lesson incredible edible earth changes. Diverging oceanic plates fruit rollups moving away from one another. In this plate tectonics worksheet, students use graham crackers, frosting, water and a paper plate to simulate tectonic processes such as convergent, divergent and transforming plate boundaries. Place two graham crackers next to each other on top. What type of plate was represented by the graham cracker. At the stations they will learn about tectonic plates, plate boundaries, earthquakes, major plates, and seafloor spreading.
Plate tectonics strand earth patterns, cycles, and change topic investigating plate tectonics primary sol 5. Which movement from your plate tectonics boundary graphic organizer caused mountains to form. If you are low on cash, stick with procedure and skip the rice crispies. Plate tectonics graham cracker lab test written observations. Students will perform an edible plate tectonics lab and start their graphic organizer. Identify the type of boundary associated with each picture below. What is the process that creates new ocean floor from diverging plates.
Every ten seconds, push the graham crackers closer to each other. Model the plates movements using frosting and graham crackers to understand how earths landscape can. Just a little info the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of seven major plates and. This is an awesome edible science lab that demonstrates plate boundaries by using an oreo as. In addition, some plates may appear to be inactivity. This theory also says that most of these plates are in motion, creating. They will work in partners, one person will move the model graham crackers and cool whip and the other partner will diagram the events. A tectonic plate that gets subducted is a plate recycled. At the plate boundaries, plates may converge collide, diverge separate, or slide past each other in a lateral motion transform. The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate the different types of interactions at plate boundaries. Schaefer the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of 7 major plates and numerous smaller plates. The theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of 16 major pieces or plates.
Slightly dampen one long side of each graham cracker by exposing them to water for a few seconds. Slowly push the graham crackers towards each other. This lab is an introduction to the boundary zones between tectonic plates and how we currently believe they are formed. Converging continental plates graham crackers moving toward each other. Graham cracker plate tectonics this quick and tasty kids science activity gives little scientists a hands on way to explore plate tectonics the movement of the earths crust that leads to the formation of volcanoes, mountains, and oceanic trenches. A specific location for this kind of boundary is north america and eurasian. This process that creates new ocean floor from diverging plates is seafloor spreading. Copy of the plate tectonic exit ticket for each student. Immediately remove the crackers and lay them end to end on the frosting with the wet edges nearly touching. Jan 29, 2015 at the plate boundaries, plates may converge collide, diverge separate, or slide past each other transform boundary. These plates move on the top of the hot plastic upper mantle known as the asthenosphere.
Edible plate tectonics divergent, convergent, and transform. For this activity, i grabbed a box of graham crackers, some cool whip, and a plate. Draw a picture and draw arrows to show the direction of cracker movement. Plate movement directly affects the construction of earths surface because the land recycles and creates new crust by divergent plates. Graham cracker plate tectonics lesson plan for 7th 10th. The graham crackers represent the earths crust, which is broken up into plates. Phet sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, gamelike environment where students learn through exploration and discovery. In addition, some plates may appear to be inactive. The theory was formulated in the 1960s and 1970s as new information was obtained about the nature of the ocean floor, earths.
The theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of 7 major plates and numerous smaller plates. First they will follow a given set of directions to explore the idea of plate tectonics. However, the version i prefer includes the use of a rice crispy treat to illustrate oceanic vs. Graham cracker plate tectonics lab the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of seven major plates and numerous smaller plates. Here is a set of prelab, lab, and postlab lesson plans on plate tectonics. Move the two small graham crackers toward each other such that they form a small upside down v on top of the marshmallow fluff. Spread frosting on wax paper to cover an area a bit larger than the graham cracker square. What physical layer of the earth did the frosting represent. This activity breaks the information up and provides a differentiated learning approach. How do wet crackers act more like real plates than dry crackers. Dip one end of each of the two graham crackers into a cup of water. To model the interactions of earths tectonic plates as they move about its surface.
The kids will move broken graham crackers on top of a frosted sheet of wax paper to create divergent, convergent, transform fault, and subduction zone boundaries. The kids will move broken graham crackers on top of a frosted sheet of wax paper to create divergent, convergent, transform fault, and sub. Google graham cracker plate tectonics lab for a variety of different versions used by schools across the. At the plate boundaries, plates may converge collide, diverge separate, or slide past each other transform boundary. Approximately1 foot by 1 foot square of wax paper knife frosting glob approximately 14 cup or 1 heaping glob full graham cracker fruit rollup dixie or 23 oz cup with water napkin, paper towel, or baby wipes. What happens to the wet ends of the graham crackers. In this lab activity, what type of plate was represented by the fruit rollup. Exploring the movement of tectonic plates with smores.
Plate tectonics lab questions divergent plate boundary discussion questions 1. Name a specific location on the earth where this kind of boundary activity takes place. Google graham cracker plate tectonics lab for a variety of different versions used by schools across the country. Each piece of graham crackers represents a continental plate. Kimberly miller printed on 101717 edible plate tectonics lab sheet purpose. Once the graham crackers have touched each other, note how the marshmallow spreading is a different shape than it was at the start of the experiment. Key concepts include e changes in earths crust due to plate tectonics.
Sketch this model on your lab sheet and answer the questions. Observe what is happening to the marshmallow spread. Place the graham crackers on opposite sides of the plate. Approximately1 foot by 1 foot square of wax paper knife frosting glob approximately 14 cup or 1 heaping glob full graham cracker fruit rollup dixie or 23 oz cup with water napkin, paper towel, or baby wipes procedure. Which movement from your plate tectonics boundary graphic organizer formed the midocean ridge. I use a version similar to this free version of graham cracker tectonics provided by. Plate tectonics lab by the theory of plate tectonics states that the crust of the earth is composed of 7 major plates and numerous smaller plates. Movements deep within the earth, which carry heat from the hot interior to the cooler surface, cause the plates to move very slowly on the surface, about 2. After completing the previous labs on volcanoes and earthquakes, sixth graders use the gained knowledge to explore plate boundaries and the movement of earths. To study the interactions of the tectonic plates as they move slowly on the asthenosphere.
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