INQUIRY- BASED LEARNING
EXPLORER LAB!
It is experiment time! To better understand the formation of faults and cliffs on Earth and the
other planets in the solar system, let’s do an experiment on erosion.
Resource
: National Geographic Explorer Pioneer Magazine article- Just Like Earth
Instructions :
Read the article ‘Just Like Earth’ from the National Geographic Explorer Pioneer magazine. Have the
students explain about erosion based on the definition given on page 17 and the description stated in
the article.
Then, divide the class into groups of four. Provide students with the list of materials and methods to
the experiment. Each group is required to get the listed materials and conduct the experiments in
their respective groups. Students are then required to present their findings and conclusions.
Materials
:

2 large flat aluminium foil baking pans

small watering can

2 wooden blocks or thick textbooks

screwdriver

soil
Method
:
1. Pour some soil into one of the large aluminium foil pans. Level the soil to about 2 or 3 inches
thick.
2. Pierce 6 small holes in one end of the tray using a screwdriver.
3. Place the second aluminum foil pan under the holes of the first pan.
4. Stack the wooden blocks or books under the other end of the first pan. This should prop the
first pan higher at one end, and with the other end with holes in the second pan.
5. Pour water from the watering can gently on the soil at the end of the pan which is propped up.
6. Observe the movement of water and soil.
Discussion
:
As they conduct the experiment, have students answer these following questions based on their
observations. Have them present their findings and conclusions to the class. Then, discuss the process
of erosion and conclude the experiment.
 What happens to the surface of the soil when water first touches it?
 Where does the water go?
 What happens to the water that comes out of the soil-filled pan and collects in the second pan?
 Is there soil in the second pan?
 Do all soil particle get pushed equally by the water?
 What would happen if you added more wooden blocks or books under the first pan to make a
steeper slope?
Conclusion :
Erosion is the process by which the surface of the Earth gets worn down. Erosion can be caused by
natural elements such as wind and glacial ice. The key to erosion is something called "fluid flow."
Water, air, and even ice are fluids because they tend to flow from one place to another due to the force
of gravity. Of the three, liquid water is the most common agent of erosion because there's so much of it
on the surface of the Earth.