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Deep Inside a Cavern

How are caves formed? Students will explore this underground world and create a model of a cave.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    Caves are found all over the world. They are natural creations and defined as a space big enough for someone to fit inside and be protected by the elements. The study of caves is called speleology. Have students investigate the different types of caves such as solution caves that are formed when water dissolves rock over long periods of time, eolian caves that form in desert areas when wind blows and erodes sandstone cliffs, lava caves formed in volcanic rock, and more. Have them also learn about the formation of stalagmites and stalactites, two types of mineral formations in caves.

  • Step 2

    Have students design a model of a cave inside a recycled shoe box or tissue box. Some boxes come with openings that look like a cave entrance. If not using that type of box, students can cut an opening and then decorate the interior walls with paint or markers. Then cover the outside front of cave with Model Magic.

  • Step 3

    Students can add interior features, such as stalagmites and stalactites created out of Model Magic and drawn or painted images on the back interior wall. If they place the 3-D features in the box while they are wet, the Model Magic will adhere to the box surface. If the Model Magic becomes dry, the features can be attached with glue.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their caves and talk about some of the information they learned.

Standards

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas.

SCI: Ask questions about the features of phenomena observed and conclusions drawn from investigations or models.

LA: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Adaptations

Cave painting is an ancient art form that was protected by being in the caves' sheltered environment. Have students investigate some of the oldest known examples, such as in the Goachanas (later renamed Apollo 11) cave in Namibia that contains art that is between 25,500 and 27,500 years old and in the Coliboaia cave in Romania that has 32,000-year-old cave paintings.

Exploring cave systems is called spelunking. Have students learn what is involved in this activity, which is a recreational activity and also a way to survey and map caves.