Edible Structures
A memorable way to demonstrate geologic structures is with food. You use a three dimensional structure students are already familiar with to extend their understanding of the three-dimensional structure of rocks. These suggestions make an incredible mess but really stick in students' minds. You will need the suggested cakes, a large knife, a lectern, some paper plates, and plenty of paper towels. If you are squeamish about using food or on a tight budget, large clay models assembled ahead of time can also work. The essential element is the 3-D experience.

Horizontal beds: a layer cake, what else? Pepperidge Farm makes a layer cake with alternating white and chocolate layers that works very well once defrosted. Slice off the icing on the sides of the cake to show the layering, then carve a stream valley into the top of the cake to show what the outcrop pattern will be.

Dipping beds: Put the layer cake on the lectern so that it rests at an angle. Carve a horizontal surface to show the outcrop pattern of dipping beds.

Folds: Jelly rolls make the best folds. Carve straight through the middle and you've got an anticline and a syncline. Set your anticline on a horizonatal surface and slice the top of the fold off horizontally to show the parallel, repeating stripes. Set your syncline on the inclined lectern and cut a horizontal surface to show the U-shaped outcrop pattern. If you can't find a jelly roll, Ho-Hos will work in a pinch. Because they are so small, you may need to let students carve their own in small groups. Domes and basins: Hostess Snowballs are great analogues for these structures. to make a true dome or basin, just slice enough off the bottom to expose the cream center. Then you can carve a horizontal surface to show the outcrop pattern.

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