Secondary Schools

The class will be introduced to the Museum and its main attractions. Students will get a chance to explore the Museum independently and answer questions about some of the incredible objects and displays in the galleries.

Questions on the Lapworth Geology trail are tailored to suit each groups age and ability.

Uncover our planet’s incredible evolutionary history!

Pupils will examine the different ways organisms can become fossils. They will have a go at identifying different fossils and work out what this can tell us about how an organism lived and died. Using our geological timeline, pupils will learn how the Earth’s atmosphere has changed and when different animal groups evolved.

National Curriculum and Science Specification Links:

• Fossils and evolution
• Animal adaption and extinction
• The Earth and its atmosphere
• Working scientifically

Find out what the Earth is made from and how it is structured.

Pupils will work through a series of experiments to identify how and where sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks form. They will examine the processes behind transforming one rock type into another in the rock cycle. Pupils will discuss which rocks are useful resources and where they might be located.

National Curriculum and Science Specification Links:

• Composition and structure of the Earth
• The rock cycle
• Earth’s resources
• Working scientifically

We live on a planet that is over 4.5 billion years old! Unearth our planet’s active history, examine Earth’s structure and ponder at plate tectonics.

Pupils will discover just how active the Earth beneath our feet is by re-creating plate tectonic movements and linking these to earthquakes and volcanoes. Pupils will step back in time and walk through the entire history of the Earth on our geological timeline!

National Curriculum Links:

• Plate tectonics
• Structure of the Earth
• Geological timescales
• Evolution
• Working scientifically

The UK is one of the most geologically diverse places in the world. The rich variety of rock types found here are responsible for our incredible range of landscapes.

Pupils will be introduced to the most common rock types found in the UK with specific reference to the West Midlands region. They will examine how these different rocks are linked to upland and lowland areas of the UK through using geological maps and cross sections.

Geography Specification Links:

• Changing landscapes in the UK
• Geological variation of the UK
• Geographical skills

Some of the most destructive natural hazards are associated with earthquakes.

Students will explore what an earthquake is and how different seismic waves move. They will link these to primary and secondary seismic hazards and perform experiments to understand the impacts these hazards have on humans. Optional KS5 activity of plotting the epicentre of an Earthquake.

Geography Specification Links:

• Plate tectonics
• The structure of the Earth
• Seismic Hazards

Volcanoes can be fascinating, but also deadly, and are capable of producing highly destructive hazards.

Students will examine and describe different volcanic rocks and deposits. They will link these to specific volcanic hazards and plate tectonic boundaries. Using this knowledge students will be able to explore the characteristics of shield and composite volcanoes and understand their impacts on humans.

Geography Specification Links:

• Plate tectonics
• The structure of the Earth
• Volcanic hazards

Through studying rocks and how they form geologists can understand more about society’s greatest challenges relating to natural resources, the environment, climate and hazards.

Pupils will learn how to identify and classify common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks found in the UK. They will examine the different surface, and deep Earth processes that can change one rock type to another in the rock cycle. Pupils will learn how this cycle is dependent on plate tectonics, and how it is linked to other Earth cycles.

Geography Specification Links:

• Plate tectonics
• Landscape systems
• Rocks and weathering
• Geographical skills

Our geology workshops can be tailored to suit your learning requirements. Workshops can focus on a range of topics including:

• fossil identification, morphology and mode of life
• diagnostic properties and characteristics of minerals and rocks
• the geological history of the West Midlands

Geology Specification Links:

• Fossils and time
• Minerals and rocks
• Petrology
• Practical skills in geology

Academic talks require advanced notice and are subject to availability.

The Lapworth Museum of Geology’s unique position as part of the University of Birmingham allows us to offer talks to groups interested in learning about some of the exciting and current research taking place at the University.

Talks are given by post graduate students and academics from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences and can cover the following topics:

• Palaeobiology
• Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoceanography
• Volcanism
• Earthquakes and Seismics
• Plate tectonics