Volcanoes!

At the end of today, I worked with two classes of third graders to create volcanoes! 40 students and 10 volcanic eruptions!

The third graders  have been studying these awesome geological phenomenons during science/geology and this was a great activity to ignite their enthusiasm on this topic.  We used the art room as our staging area (easily cleanable floors) and began with each group labeling their volcano.  Next students used simple household ingredients to create the volcanic eruption.

Students were enthusiastic and excited about this task, and I think it was very memorable!

Want to make your own volcano at home? Here was our method:

Materials (per volcano):
Half a sheet of poster board
small margarine container
2-3TBSP of baking soda (per explosion)
1/4- 1/2 cup of vinegar
1tsp of clear dishwashing detergent (thickens and slows initial reaction)
a few drops of red dye
1/4 cup of water
(newspaper to cover table and catch the 'lava')

Directions:
1.  Create a cone with poster board that is free standing and can support the margarine container in the top.
2.  In the margarine container place water, food coloring and dishwashing soap
3.  Spoon in baking soda and stir
4.  Pour in vinegar and stand back!

Have fun!