Properties of rocks
Looking at the link between sewage and the underground tunnel system
This activity asks students: “What sort of rock would be best to drill through when constructing underground sewage tunnels?”
Along with the Shifting Sewage film, the task has been designed to make the study of rocks more relevant and captivating for your students.
Through following this lesson plan, students will be able to identify the bedrock on which their town is built using a geological survey map. They'll also investigate the properties of different types of rocks and interpret data on rock hardness and drilling capabilities.
The activity also encourages leaners to consider the implications of large-scale tunnelling and boring work on the bedrock of their town. It's not just about understanding the science behind it, but also about appreciating its impact on their everyday lives.
This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the secondary national curriculum, particularly KS3. It has been designed to support the delivery of key topics within science and design and technology (DT). It can also be used to support geography lesson teaching.
Activity: Looking at the link between sewage and the underground tunnel system
In this activity, your students will play the roles of investigators for a local water company. They'll be asked to examine the feasibility of digging a tunnel underneath their town to alleviate strain on the current sewage system.
This investigation involves acquiring a geological survey map to determine the main rock type under their town, carrying out simple tests on rock samples, and using collected data to decide which rocks would be easiest to drill through.
Download our activity overview for a detailed lesson plan for teaching students about the properties of rocks.
The engineering context
In civil engineering, knowledge of geology is essential when designing and constructing infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, tunnels, and roads. The type of soil and bedrock, the presence of groundwater, the risk of earthquakes or landslides - all these factors can greatly influence the feasibility, design, safety, and cost of construction projects.
By investigating the feasibility of constructing a sewage tunnel, students will gain insights into the practical applications of their geography, science and math lessons. They'll see first hand how engineers use their knowledge of rocks and their properties to make decisions that impact entire communities.
Suggested learning outcomes
The goal of this lesson plan is not only to teach your students about the properties of rocks but also to inspire them to think critically about how these properties affect our world. By the end of this activity, they'll have a deeper understanding of their town's geological makeup and the implications of drilling through the bedrock. They'll also be able to interpret data on rock hardness and drilling capabilities, which are crucial skills in many STEM fields.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download (including the film), and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
You can download our classroom lesson plan below.
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