What have we been doing at Northumbria University today?
Today Year 3 have been into the NUSTEM Thinklab at Northumbria University to take part in the geologist workshop. During the workshop, we supported the children to feel more confident that a career in STEM is for ‘people like them’ by trying some of the activities a geologist would do in their job.
We introduced three attributes that the children may already have or can develop. By discussing STEM careers in terms of these attributes, we are encouraging children and young people to see themselves as having the skills to work in STEM.
Geologists are: observant, collaborative and logical.
What is a geologist?
Geologists are scientists who are interested in rocks. They study the physical history of the Earth, the materials it is made of and the processes that are happening under the surface.
Geologists want to understand the formation and physical history of our planet so they can predict what might happen in the future. They want to understand how and why landslides, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions happen so they can help protect people from these natural disasters.
Geologists study past climates of Earth and how they have changed across time. to help us understand how our current climate is changing and what the results might be.
Activities to try at home
During the workshop we investigated, observed and sketched a variety of interesting rocks and fossils, We then recreated the rock cycle using fruit chews. Unfortunately, we couldn’t eat the sweets today, but if you want to try this at home, you will need a packet of chewy sweets and a microwave. Go to our fruit chew rock cycle page for instructions and more information about the rock cycle.
If you are interested in fossils, you may want to try to make your own. You will need sand, plaster of Paris and something you would like to fossilise. Go to our make a fossil page to find out more.
