We have been working on a Geology Unit for the past 8 weeks or so. I let the kids take turns choosing science projects, this was Bug’s request. Science is the subject that I feel comfortable letting the kids call most of the shots but I have used Evan-Moore’s Geology Guide as a reference point for myself and kids enjoyed most of the listed activities, including the making the mini-books. We also added in lots of books and dvds from the library. As kind of our grand finale to the unit, and the main reason I think Bug wanted to do a geology unit, we made a kitchen volcano… a science fair classic. Now, I’m not totally sure how much the homemade volcano really ties in scientifically with a true volcano… but it does look cool.
First we whipped up a batch of our basic salt dough. I added some food coloring to give it a gray/brown rocky color. Bug and Fairy built the volcano up around the sides of a small Dixie cup on a piece of tin foil. Once the form was complete, we dried the volcano in a 250 degree oven for several hours and then let it sit over night.
The following day we were ready for the eruption. I tried following the book’s recommended baking soda/cream of tater wrapped in tissue paper directions… but it didn’t work. The vinegar just wasn’t getting through the tissue paper. So IĀ ended up just adding a couple Tablespoons of baking soda directly into the cup. Then each kiddo took turns pour the vinegar/food coloring mixture into the volcano.
Each kiddo got a chance to make the volcano erupt. We used a different color each time just for fun. In the end this was really a quick project and not nearly as messy as it seems. Everything was contained on one tray.
Yep, I remember doing this experiment in 3rd grade in Miss Simpson’s class. Something went wrong the first time we tried it and literally nothing happen. Very disappointing. We repeated the experiment the next day and to our delight it spewed everywhere, rolling off the counter, unto the floor. It was great. I can’t remember what we learned, but I remember Jason slipped in the “lava” and fell down. Ah well. Volcanos are a rite of passage I suppose.
Looks like lots of fun!