Download Rocks the House - Natural History Museum

Rocks the House
Please use this information to help you and your students get the most from your visit.
Your show
Show name
Rocks the House
Location
Attenborough Studio, Darwin Centre, Orange Zone
Start time
10.3011.3012.30
Please ensure you are ready and waiting to enter the studio 10 minutes before the show is
scheduled to begin. Unfortunately, we are unable to admit latecomers.
Duration
30 minutes
Minimum ratio 1 adult : 10 students
Please ensure you meet the required minimum adult:student ratio
Maximum group size Natural History Museum Rocks the House
60 students, six adults
1
About the show
This fun science show explores geological interactions at the boundaries of tectonic plates,
when they collide, slide past each other and separate, showing the effects on the landscape and
setting the rock cycle in a dramatic context. We look at some of the methods used by Museum
scientists and geologists around the world to study Earth’s surface, including earthquakes and
volcanoes, such as note taking and rock collecting, the use of seismometers and analysing lava.
There are engaging demonstrations involving large props, messy experiments, volunteers and
lots of audience participation.
Please note, the human impact of volcanoes and earthquakes is addressed briefly during the
show, but is not its main focus. Please visit the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery to explore
this further.
Before your visit
A familiarity with concepts associated with tectonic activity at plate boundaries would be
beneficial, but is not essential. The show can be used as an introduction or to consolidate
student learning.
Please advise the bookings team of any special needs your students have.
Evaluation of the show
To continually assess the show’s effectiveness, we would be grateful if you and your students
complete feedback forms on the day. The teacher form will be given to you at the start of the
show. On leaving the studio, feedback slips may be provided for the students to complete before
leaving the Museum. Please hand these in to any of the visitor desks.
A note about behaviour
One of our experienced science educators will lead the show. We work to make it an inspiring
and inclusive experience for all students and find we rarely have problems with behaviour.
However, teachers have overall responsibility for the behaviour of their students and we expect
you to support us with this where necessary. Students benefit significantly when teachers and
accompanying adults also get involved, so please do join in. We will require two teaching staff
to assist with an activity where large, foam tectonic plate props are passed over the audience.
Please follow the presenter’s instructions.
Health and safety
Please assist staff when seating students in the Attenborough Studio. Please be aware that
handheld devices are located in seat armrests and attached via a cable. To avoid trip hazards,
please ensure students return any removed devices to the housing before leaving the venue.
Natural History Museum Rocks the House
2
Learning outcomes
Students will gain an understanding:
• that Earth’s crust is made up of tectonic plates, which move
• of geological interactions at plate boundaries, specifically where plates collide, slide past each
other and separate, and the effect of these interactions on the landscape
• of how igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are formed
• of some of the methods and tools scientists use to study Earth’s surface
• of how Natural History Museum scientists do real scientific fieldwork on an active volcano in
Mexico
National Curriculum links
The show’s content falls within the following statements, but does not necessarily support the
breadth of content to which the statement refers.
Key Stage 3 Science
Aims
Pupils develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through
different types of science enquiries.
Working scientifically
Experimental skills and investigations
To understand how to use appropriate techniques, apparatus and materials during fieldwork.
Chemistry
Earth and atmosphere
To understand:
• the composition of Earth
• the structure of Earth
• the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Key Stage 3 Geography
Aims
Pupils understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features
of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and
change over time.
Human and physical geography
To understand:
• through the use of detailed place-based exemplars at a variety of scales, the key processes in
physical geography relating to geological timescales, plate tectonics and rocks
• how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes and
environments.
Natural History Museum Rocks the House
3