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Science Launch G4 / Week 11 / Launch Lab
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Week 11 · Rock Layers and Weathering

Launch Lab

Launch Lab: Layers in a jar
// Reading Earth's story and watching it change
⏱ about 15 min

Launch Lab: Layers in a jar

Rocket pours sand, garden soil and a handful of small pebbles into a big clear jar.

Raven adds water almost to the top and screws the lid on tight. "Shake it!"

They take turns shaking until the water is a muddy swirl. Then they set it on the windowsill.

"What do you notice happening as it settles?" Raven asks.

Nova hovers beside the jar. "My hint," she says. "Watch which pieces sink first. Check again tomorrow."

  1. Rock layers form one on top of another. The bottom layers are oldest.
  2. Fossils show what lived in a place when each layer formed.
  3. Sea fossils above land fossils show a place changed from land to water.
  4. Weathering breaks rock. Ice, water and plant roots are rock breakers.
  5. Erosion moves the pieces. Water, wind and gravity are rock movers.
◇ LAYERS IN A JAR
Fill a clear jar about one third full with sand, soil and small pebbles.
Add water almost to the top. Close the lid tightly.
Shake for one minute, then set it down.
Watch for five minutes. Look again tomorrow. Draw the layers.
Safety first
Use a plastic jar if you can, so it will not break.
Wash your hands after touching soil.
For a grown-up
Ask: What did you notice? What would you change?
Ask which material settled first, and where it ended up.
Connect it to the Grand Canyon: layers settle one on top of another over time.
LAUNCH LAB CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
In your jar, which layer settled first?
Water, ice and roots breaking rock is called...
Erosion moves sediment with water, wind or ____.
In rock layers, the ____ layer is the oldest.
Is a river carrying sand downstream weathering or erosion?
WHY THIS EXERCISEErosion moves the pieces.

Week 11 complete! Next week, our last, we map Earth's mountains, volcanoes and ocean floors.

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