The rock cycle

Primary
Primary

Science educational materials for UK students ages 4–11 linked to the curriculum, with accessible resources to bring science to life through real world challenges and careers links.

Ages:

Any

4-7

7-11

9-11

7-9
Register today to download resources
Secondary
Secondary

Science teaching and learning materials for UK students aged 11–16 linked to the curriculum, with accessible resources to bring science to life through real-world challenges and careers links.

Ages:

Any

11-14

14-16
Register today to download resources
Ultimate STEM Challenge 2024/25
Collections
Careers connections
Green Skills Unlocked

7-11
11-14

How can I use this with my class?

Explore the rock cycle with your class by using these visual resources. The rock formation and rock cycle animation takes students through the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, explaining some of their features.

The rock cycle poster can be used alongside the animation or to revisit the cycle later, providing information about their key features and explaining keywords.

Download the resources below and come back here when you’re ready to use the animation.

Download the full lesson

What's inside

Just want one of the lesson resources? No problem…

A screen grab from the 'Rock formation and rock cycle' explainer animation

Primary

7-11 11-14

Rock formation and rock cycle animation

Simple animation explaining the stages of the rock cycle, and the different rocks and processes that are involved.

Video

Watch

Primary

7-11 11-14

Rock cycle poster

Use this classroom poster to show the stages of the rock cycle, and the different rocks and processes that are involved.

Download

Want to make a career connection?

Learn about careers related to this lesson…

A preview of three slides from the 'Meet a Mineral resources petrologist' powerpoint

Primary

7-11 11-14

Meet a petrologist presentation

Use this presentation to inspire your pupils to think about a potential future career and link learning about rocks to the real-world.

PowerPoint

Download

A preview of the 'Mineral resources petrologist' job role card

Primary

7-11 11-14

Meet a petrologist job card

Inspire your pupils to think about a future career and link learning about rocks to the real-world, with this job-role card.

Download

A screen grab from the careers video introducing the job of a 'petrologist'

Primary

7-11 11-14

Meet a petrologist video

Watch Marli, a mineral resources petrologist (who studies rocks) at work and find out about the knowledge and skills she needs for success.

Video

Watch

A preview of three slides from the 'Meet a Palaeontologist' powerpoint

Primary

7-11

Meet a palaeontologist presentation

Use this presentation to inspire your pupils to think about a potential future career and link learning about rocks and fossils to the real-world.

PowerPoint

Download

A preview of the 'Palaeontologist' job role card

Primary

7-11

Meet a palaeontologist job card

Inspire your pupils to think about a future career and link learning about rocks and fossils to the real-world, with this job-role card.

Download

Secondary

11-14

Meet a vehicle mechanic job card (11-14)

Find out about what it's like to be a vehicle mechanic, discover how the role can have green impact and learn about the skills and qualifications required, as well as the responsibilities and average salary for the role.

Download

Secondary

11-14

Meet a data analyst job role card (11-14)

Find out about what it's like to be a data analyst, discover how the role can have green impact and learn about the skills and qualifications required, as well as the responsibilities and average salary for the role.