Often students are sent home with assignments that have correct and incorrect answers. Inspire your students by having them explore a concept on the weekend.
Objective: Students discover how to create a volcano.
Procedure:
Students create a volcano out of natural materials such as snow, ice, twigs, soil, mud, sand, rocks, shells or what other material available. The only requirement is no man made material.
Students create a volcano based on prior knowledge, or they may research via the Internet and/or books.
Students draw a diagram of the construction of their volcano or may take pictures of their volcano or even videotape the experiment.
Students create a substance that will erupt from within the volcano. Students can use the standard vinegar and baking soda substance and add to the formula or they may choose another formula. Another common formula is diet coke and Mentos.
Students may add substances to the formula for better effects. Students are to predict why their volcano erupts.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do volcanoes erupt?
2. Why did you use your material to create your volcano?
3. What would happen if you had a smaller or larger opening?
4. How could you make the explosion bigger or smaller?
5. Did you have to change your explosion formula?
Students can work as individuals or in groups to experiment with the creation of a volcano. Students are to do the experiment at home and it is okay for parents and older siblings to aid them. By having students explore they are will gain more knowledge on the subject and sharpen their problem solving skills. As well, students are more willing to do the homework because it is intriguing.
Extensions:
Language Arts:
Write a how to article
Adjectives to describe the explosion
Math:
Time how long the eruption lasts
Measure how far the lava flows
Measure the circumference of the volcano opening
Measure the height and width of the volcano
