School might be back in session, but second graders at Bethlehem Elementary School are thinking about the beach!

Recently, a science lesson on erosion in Kate Von Duntz's class offered students the question -- why is sand at the beach? Students investigated the effects of rocks tumbling down mountains and breaking into smaller chunks. These rocks eventually travel down a river and get smaller and smaller as they head towards the ocean to finally create the sand we enjoy.

Students tore pieces of paper into various sizes to represent the changes in size as rocks make their way down the mountain and onto the beach.

This hands-on project was a terrific way for our young students to gain an understanding of erosion and learn where we can see the effects in everyday settings.