PROJECT IDEAS : INTERMEDIATE PHASE
How to make a volcano (that works!)
LEARNING AREA: NATURAL SCIENCES

LEARNING OUTCOME 1: SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

The learner will be able to act confidently on curiosity about natural and to investigate relationships and solve problems in scientific, technological and environmental contexts.



MATERIALS NEEDED:
 paste (recipe below)  paint brushes
 red food colouring  hardboard base
 paint : red, orange, brown  baking soda
 plastic bottle (250ml)  funnel
 a few drops of dishwashing liquid   half cup vinegar
  newspaper (pieces)
 
HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOLCANO: (See photos below)
 
STEP :

 Make a paste using the recipe below. Add the small pieces of newspaper.
STEP :

 Use your hands to mix until the paste is smooth.
STEP :

 Place the plastic bottle on the hardboard and mould the paper mache' around it to form a volcano (wide at the base and becoming smaller around the neck of the bottle).

STEP :

 Allow two days to dry. Now paint your volcano brown, with red around the opening. Allow paint to dry.
STEP :

 To make your volcano erupt, put 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottle by using the funnel. Then add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and about a half cup of water.
STEP :

 Put a few drops of red food coloring into about half of a cup of vinegar.
STEP :

 Pour this liquid into the 'volcano' using your funnel. Quickly remove the funnel.

STEP :

 Watch your volcano erupt!

 
Flour Paste Recipe:

INGREDIENTS 

    1L  Flour                                250 ml  salt 

    750ml  water                              

          

WHAT  TO  DO 

1.     Mix  all  the  ingredients  together  in  a  large  dish  until  it  thickens. 

2.     The  paste  is  now  ready  to  use.

NOTE: If  a  paste  does  not  form  add  more  flour  or  water.