Ready, set, volcano! Engage students in hands-on STEM play with this creative activity from Hands-On Science and Math where children will explore the concepts of chemical change, creating a gas, and how volcanic eruptions occur.
Make a Volcano
Materials
Paper bowl
4-ounce paper cup
2 tablespoons of baking soda
A Funnel
2 ounces of vinegar
Red food coloring
Optional: fun safety goggles
What to Do
Use food coloring to turn the vinegar red, and give each pair of children a 2-ounce portion, along with the other materials and ingredients.
For each pair, place the paper cup into the small disposable bowl, and put the baking soda in the bottom of the cup. Alternatively, give the children portion cups holding the baking soda, and allow them to pour the baking soda into their drinking cups.
Tell the children to place their funnels inside their cups and quickly pour the vinegar into the top of the funnel.
Because the children get so excited watching the eruptions, have one pair of students at a time do their demonstration. The children will not get bored watching this over and over again!
More to Do
Use a computer or tablet device to show video clips of an erupting volcano. You can also bring in photos of real eruptions. Explain that when a volcano erupts, lava—rock so hot that it has melted—is forced out of the ground and spills out of the volcano.
Instructions
* Place the paper cow shapes, markers, and crayons in the Art Station. What to Do 1. Ask the children to identify the shape of their papers. Ask if any of the children have seen a real cow before. What color was it? 2. Ask the children to identify the colors of the crayons and markers. 3. Suggest that the children draw faces and other features on their cows. They can draw spots and patches if they like. 4. Have the children color their cows. Encourage the children to use a variety of colors. Teacher - to - Teacher Tip * Cover a bulletin board in your classroom with green cloth or butcher paper. Add a red paper barn to create a farm scene. Once the children's colorful cows are complete, arrange them in the "pasture" for the children and families to enjoy. Poem Colorful Cows by Laura Wynkoop I've never seen a yellow cow, I think it would be neat to see Or one that's green or blue. A purple cow say, "Moo." Assessment Consider the following: * Can the children name the colors they used in their pictures? * Can the children identify the shape of their paper? Can they find other cows in the room?
