Objectives Students will learn that the crust of the earth is broken into plates and that they move slowly overtime. Students will learn that the effects of plate movement determine various geologic activity on the planet. Background Students will use Oreo cookies to demonstrate plate movement on the Earth’s surface. Procedure Explain the make-up of the Earth’s layers: core, mantle, crust. Focus mainly on the mantle and its semi-liquid molten make-up and the crust (thin layer on the surface of the earth broken into plates). Show the cross-section of the earth’s interior. Explain that the plates move upon the semi-liquid mantle around the surface of the earth. (If asked, they move because of convection currents, if you really want to explain that, go for it). Show the poster of plate boundaries. Pass to each student an Oreo and a napkin and explain that they are not to touch or eat them yet. (It’s best if the Oreo’s are warm so the center is soft). Explain that the top layer of the Oreo represents the crust and the soft center represents the mantle. Have the students carefully remove the crust from the mantle. Have the students carefully break the crust into 2 plates. (Teachable moment: some cookies will break in two easily while others may crumble: you can use this to explain that the crust is brittle in some areas and stronger in others). Have the students place the two plates back on the mantle. Demonstrate uplift, subduction and extension by manipulating the plates. Have the students do the same. Explain the same thing that caused their uplift on the cookie is similar to the uplift that happened at the Grand Canyon.		Activity Specifics Objectives Background Procedure Materials Needed: • An Oreo cookie for each student • Napkins • Poster of Plate Boundaries • Perhaps a Cross Section of the Structure of the Earth's Core Layers • Map of the Colorado Plateau Reading the Rocks • How Water Changes the Earth's Surface • I Fall to Pieces • Oreo Plate Tectonics • Plan Your Route to Grand Canyon National Park • Plate Tectonics • Rock Art • Three Kinds of Rocks • What's Inside the Earth? • Geologic Timeline Animal Activities • Animal Game • What is a Dichotomous Key? Trailblazers • Human History Timeline • Split Twig Figurines