Volcano fun, pt. 2

To further our study in volcanoes, we checked out several books from the library. One of particular interest was Will It Blow?, which helps you become a "volcano detective" and includes several experiments involving volcanoes and lava.

We chose to do lava races, where you test the speed of different liquids at room temperature, hot temperatures and cold temperatures. We used canola oil, maple syrup and honey, and graphed our results.

For the record, honey was ALWAYS the slowest. Syrup won in two out of the three races, but oil had the jump on syrup in the 'cold temperature' category.

We also observed how magma/lava can harden in different ways depending upon whether it was cooled quickly or slowly. If magma/lava is cooled quickly, it becomes smooth and shiny like glass. However, if it cools slowly, crystals begin to form.

 Our smooth lava sugar

Our slow forming crystal lava sugar--two weeks after the experiment, crystals are still forming around these popsicle sticks!

Studying volcanoes has been a lot of fun for the Finnlings (and me as well), and are just one of the joys of homeschooling here in the Finn house!

Date taken: March 25, 2014

Volcano fun, pt 1

Two weeks ago in Georgia's schoolwork we read an excerpt from A Child's Geography of the World that discussed the earth's layers and volcanoes. The Finnlings were greatly intrigued by volcanoes, so they watched a Bill Nye video about volcanoes, and we checked out several volcano books from the library. For some hands-on activities, Georgia and Baxter created lapbooks using resources from www.homeschoolshare.com. Then, after much begging, I finally caved and let them build a model volcano :-) My problem: I had no modelling clay or anything like that to create a volcano, so I let the kids use aluminum foil. I found an easy 'lava' method online, and we watched a volcano erupt! It was tons of fun for the kids and very easy to make and clean up for me. 

Hard at work on their lapbooks (which were torn apart a couple of days later, oh well)

Creating a volcano:

Filling it with the 'lava'

There she blows!!

My lava is white vinegar with a squirt of dish soap. I could have added food coloring but I did not have any. Once I poured the vinegar in, I put about a teaspoon of baking soda on a tissue (a square of toilet paper works best), and wrapped it up. I dropped that 'bomb' into the top of the volcano and the mixture started to bubble and pour out. Lots of fun!

Date taken: March 21, 2014