Earth's surface processes take centre stage in this Grade 7 science case study challenge, where students investigate how water, ice, waves, gravity and chemical reactions reshape Earth's landscapes. Designed around Earth's Systems, this resource moves beyond memorising definitions by asking students to use real-world examples as evidence to explain how Earth's surface changes over time.

Investigating the Processes That Shape Earth

Students explore the connections between weathering, erosion, transport and deposition, examining how these processes contribute to changing landforms. They consider the different roles of moving water, ice, waves, gravity and chemical reactions, while comparing how landscape changes occur over different timescales.

The case study approach gives students opportunities to connect scientific concepts with observable examples of landscape development. Rather than treating each process as an isolated definition, students consider how different forces and processes work to shape Earth's surface.

What Is Included?

• Station cards: Provide the case study challenge materials for students to investigate Earth's surface processes.
• Station recording sheet: Gives students a place to record their investigation work.
• Station wrap-up: Provides a concluding activity to bring the station learning together.
• Answer Key PDF with Teacher Guide: Includes learning objectives, teaching tips, discussion questions and common mistakes to support instruction and review.

Skills and Scientific Thinking

Through this Earth science activity, students practise identifying the agents responsible for surface changes, comparing weathering and erosion with transport and deposition, and explaining landscape development using evidence from real-world examples.

The resource also encourages students to think about timescales, recognising that Earth's landscapes develop through processes that can operate over different lengths of time. These skills support scientific reasoning and evidence-based explanations of changes within Earth's systems.

Ways to Use This Resource in Class

Use the station cards to organise a classroom investigation in which students work through the case study materials and record their thinking on the station recording sheet. The wrap-up provides an opportunity to revisit the key processes and connect ideas across the investigation.

Teachers can use the included guide to prepare instruction, introduce discussion questions, address common misconceptions and support students as they develop explanations. The resource can also support an Earth's Systems lesson, a review of weathering and erosion, or additional practice with landscape-changing processes.

Curriculum Connection

Designed for Grade 7 Science, this resource references the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), MS-ESS2-2. It focuses on Earth's surface processes and evidence-based explanations of how landscapes change over time.

With station materials, a recording sheet, a wrap-up activity and an accompanying teacher guide, this resource brings the investigation and instructional support together in one classroom-ready Earth science resource.