We're Gonna Crush It! Sediment Creation through Destruction

Abstract

ABSTRACTWhy are there only crumbs left at the bottom of the cereal box? Many factors, such as package handling, have caused the cereal pieces to break down into crumbs. This explanation is also related to the process of creating sediment from rocks. Sediment is created by weathering over millions of years, and it is deposited all over the world by erosion. The We're Gonna Crush It! activity serves as a brief introduction to sediment composition. Students learn how sediment is created by demonstrating weathering at a much quicker pace than what occurs under natural conditions. They see firsthand how weathering affects rocks by mirroring the process using cereal to make “sediment.” The students learn how to calculate grain size percentages to determine the overall composition of the sediment while becoming more aware of the organisms and organic matter that are also present. In less than 60 min, students can experience a large-scale process that generally occurs over millions of years. Several Next Generati...