This term we are working as Crime Scene Investigators working in National Parks. Mysterious holes have started to appear near standing stones in the parks. We used our investigative skills and drama to find out about the possible historical stories behind the standing stones, and what might be buried which could be of interest to someone. We set up CCTV and created the shadow puppet footage of what has been happening in Exmoor National Park. Using drama conventions we were able to talk to the standing stone which revealed some of its past and how its shadow could help guide us in our search. Following the clues, and wanting to protect any objects of significance, we discovered a location to dig in which revealed a cavern.  Using our camaras and reflecting light around corners, were were able to see what was hidden.

This term we have been Rock Hounds exploring different types of rocks. We learnt about the three different types of rocks and how they were made. We also learnt about fossils and how they are formed. We were contacted by Dr Dora. She asked us to travel to Heimaey in Iceland and locate basalt for a project she's part of. We explored different rocks and their properties so we could identify basalt. The island was very different to the UK and had large volcanoes on it. When we arrived a protest was taking place. They were upset that a carbon capture company was planning to build a facility on the island. They were worried it could cause earthquakes and erosion, so we explored the theory and examined soil types. We investigated tectonic plates and were able to prove that carbon capture wasn't responsible for the earthquakes, but is in fact good for the environment.

Last term in mantle we looked at what life was like during the stone age- a part of that was looking at cave paintings. During our mantle sessions we had a go at recreating stone age cave paintings using charcoal from the skills and techniques we had learnt during art.