Melted Minerals

crayola supplies

Gel Markers
Model Magic®
No-Run School Glue
Pointed Tip Scissors

household supplies

recycled newspaper
masking tape
oak tag or poster board
cardboard
modeling tools

Why?

Volcanic eruptions invite exploration of the Earth’s interior. This colorful exhibit is perfect for a science fair project or classroom display.

Steps

1. Around the world, there are approximately 1,500 active volcanoes. Does this sound like we live in seething turmoil? It may, until you learn that the definition of active includes any volcanoes that have erupted in the last 10,000 years.
2. Much of what makes a volcano erupt happens out of sight. Study volcanoes and find out what is taking place on the inside, under the mountain, below the Earth’s surface. Use your information to construct a cut-away view of an active volcano.
3. With Crayola® Scissors, cut out a volcano mountain shape from cardboard. Illustrate the inside of the volcano with Crayola Gel Markers. Use different colors to represent areas such as magma pools, central vent, sill, chambers, and earth plates. Color-code these on the cardboard or on a base of cardboard or oaktag.
4. Crumble recycled newspaper into boulder shapes. Cover with masking tape. Pile and attach these boulders behind the cardboard cutout to form the back slope of the volcano mountain.
5. Roll out Crayola Model Magic. Cover the taped newspaper armature with a layer of Model Magic. Use Crayola School Glue to reinforce any connections between Model Magic and the paper. Air-dry the mountain overnight.
6. Create colored modeling material for the outside of your volcano by blending white Model Magic with color from a Crayola Gel Marker. Roll into snakes and cover the mountainside. Leave cracks for fissures and secondary vents). Apply modeling material in thumbprint sizes to add texture and dimension. Air-dry the construction overnight.
7. Glue your volcano to its labeled base. Air-dry before displaying.

adaptations

Identify other activities that happen underground and chart their effect upon our planet. Consider both natural events and changes caused by humans.

Develop a geological timeline to put recorded time on Earth in perspective. Note various volcanic eruptions and the land formations that resulted over time. Include lunar happenings, earthquakes, and other earth-shaking events, too.

Contact a classroom in a school that is located fairly near an active volcano. Become pen pals to learn more about life next to a volcano.

benefits

Students study the elements of an active volcano.

Students identify the underground components of this geological occurrence.

Students construct and label a three-dimensional model to represent their findings.

grades

Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6

subjects

Science
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.