Geology with the Year 8's

Year 8 Science students are currently learning about the rock cycle and physical weathering. As part of their studies they are looking at what happens when water freezes inside rock and the different processes that cause rocks to break down.

As part of their research they experimented using water filled balloons and a cup filled with plaster, setting the balloon into the plaster and freezing it to see what would happen. The plaster is designed to resemble the rock, while the water filled balloon is the water that becomes trapped  inside. 

Students also had the opportunity to grow their own Copper Sulphate crystals in a Petrie dish. Below are some images of the different formations that occurred after the solution had been left undisturbed for several days.