Rocks and minerals: igneous rocks

We've been using a long-ago downloaded resource from Currlick to study rocks with dd (The title is Intellego Unit Study Soils, Rocks, Minerals and Fossils - I'm not sure that it's still available to purchase) . Many of the links are out-of-date, but it's been a useful prompt to watch videos and do a few experiments.

Here we are, using wax crayon shavings to replicate some of the processes involved in the rock cycle.

Erosion:

 Sedimentation (sedimentary rocks)

Pressure (stamped on the folded foil)

Heat:

Some of the intro videos we watched:

Intro to different types of rocks/rock cycle

http://www.neok12.com/video/Types-of-Rocks/zX616a577c597f7c784c720a.htm

http://www.neok12.com/video/Types-of-Rocks/zX750f7762705a694f5b636b.htm

http://www.neok12.com/video/Types-of-Rocks/zX466963500e710c067b7277.htm

Igneous rocks:

Video on identifying igneous rocks:
http://www.neok12.com/video/Types-of-Rocks/zX63086e417b587d05465e77.htm


This week we looked at pumice rock as an example of an extrusive igneous rock:

Pumice:
https://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals/pumice
(you can get pumice at most chemist shops in the toiletries/bathtime section. We bought ours for around £1 at Wilkinsons.

Experiment with floating rocks:
http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/floating-rocks/

C14 robotics team return to help out at the FLL nationals in Loughborough

C14 Robotics team were invited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) to return to the First Lego League UK & Ireland finals as volunteers. In return last year's champions had a free hotel stay in a 4* hotel, a  lovely evening meal and free lunch (yes there is such a thing). It was fab to see them back as a team (albeit, minus a few members) and the boys had a lovely day. 

A few of us parents manned a stall, to answer questions about the robot, the team, their trips to America and Spain and all things FLL. We were busy all day! Congratulations to the West Linton team who are the new FLL Uk & Ireland champions!

The boys, posing :)

(Below) Getting together with Berrelium 6, previously known as the Dalton Brobots. The team met Dalton Brobots in Spain at the European Open, and again at the FLL nationals in 2015 and have stayed in touch. Berrelium 6 didn't get any awards at the weekend, despite all their hard work, but they remained cheery and it was wonderful to see them again. Perhaps next year?

C14, being 'busy'.

C14 helping out at the robot tables: