Problems with Elementary School Experiments on Strata Formation

Abstract

This paper looks at experiments on strata formation carried out in elementary schools as to whether the strata formed in the experiments simulate those as detailed in science textbooks and in government curriculum guidelines. Strata, as taught in the textbooks and in the guidelines, are defined as “detritus sediment strata comprising gravel, sand, and mud deposited in stream water such as a river.” However, experiments conducted in elementary schools simulate the formation of strata by sediment gravity flow or by sorting during the settling of sediment grains. Therefore, the experiments are not suitable as elementary school lessons on strata formation. This paper also found that no suitable experiments for such lessons are described in published academic papers. Thus, suitable experiments need to be developed.