Lesson overview

In this lesson students will investigate information about Everest and its formation through the collision of tectonic plates. They then go on to plan an expedition to climb another, similar mountain range.

Learning outcomes

• Connect the creation of fold mountains to the highest place on earth.

Lesson steps

1. Introduction (10 mins)
   Introduce Mount Everest and connect to fold mountains. Students research Everest online. Students complete the map of Asia on the Student Sheet provided in the Lesson resource section to show:
   
   • The location of Mount Everest.
   • The Himalaya mountain range.
   • The boundaries of the Indian & Eurasian plates.
2. Expedition (20 mins)
   Lead expedition, using the scene descriptions and points of interest to give students an immersive view of the Himalayas in the Everest region and the scale of tectonic activity. Students explore the expedition.
3. Activity (30 mins)
   Students research an expedition to climb a mountain in another mountain range formed by tectonic activity. Students produce a fact file with map, and climate graph, showing the location of their mountain for their chosen range.
   
   Students compile a kit list for their expedition.
   
   • The budget is $3,000 but the bags must not exceed 20Kg.
   • The kit list must include: a harness, crampons, boots, warm clothes, a rucksack, hat, gloves and sunglasses.
4. Extension
   Students peer assess each other’s kit list and write a brief safety report analysing the safety of the climber given that gear. Did the student include a harness? Did they include crampons for gripping the ice?

England

Key Stage 3 Geography

• Extended their locational knowledge of different places
• Understand physical processes relating to plate tectonics