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

• 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.

Standards

• LA: Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
• LA: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
• LA: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
• LA: Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
• LA: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
• MATH: Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.
• SCI: Obtain and share information on the role of the ocean in supporting a variety of ecosystems and organisms, shaping landforms, and influencing climate.
• SCI: Construct models to describe weather and climate patterns which are produced by the interactions among the atmosphere, the ocean, and landforms.
• SCI: Obtain and communicate information that water exists in different forms within natural landscapes and determines the variety of life forms that can live there.
• SS: Use appropriate resources, data sources, and geographic tools to generate, manipulate, and interpret information.
• VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of experiences and ideas.
• VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of ideas.

Adaptations

• Possible classroom resources include: Volcanoes! by Anne Schreiber; The Best Book of Volcanoes by Simon Adams; Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens by Patricia Lauber; Mount St Helens: The Eruption and Recovery of a Volcano by Rob Carson; Volcano!: The Icelandic Eruption of 2010 and Other Hot, Smoky, Fierce, and Fiery Mountains by Judith Fradin
• Students investigate other activities that happen underground. Chart their effects on the weather, other landforms, etc. Consider natural events, as well as events caused, or influenced, by humans. Be prepared to share your findings with classmates.
• Students 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 events, earthquakes, and other earth-shaking events.
• Contact a classroom in a school that is located fairly near an active volcano. Share video chats between classes, investigating what life is like next to a volcano. Prior to chats, have students prepare questions so as to make the best use of video time.