Rivers on Mars

This activity is perfect when teaching the rock cycle in the KS3 Earth structure unit.

It includes a simple but engaging practical activity that can be used to demonstrate how rocks are broken down as they travel downstream. Students shake sugar cubes in a container and record how the mass changes with the number of shakes. They relate the model to the processes that affect rocks as they travel in streams and rivers.

In the second task, they relate their observations to the evidence that Mars once had rivers by discussing a series of questions within small groups.