Build-a-Volcano Project
Your job: Build a volcano out of whatever material you
would like to use. Possible materials include:
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Crayola Model Magic clay OR Make your own
modeling dough: 3 c. flour, 1 c. salt, 1 c. water, and 2t oil.
(If you choose to make the volcano out of paper mache
or other materials, that’s okay too!)
Some sort of tray with a lip on it; perhaps a disposable
aluminum tray (dollar store?), and maybe a flat piece
of wood or strong cardboard to carry it to school.
You will want there to be some sort of reservoir or space inside the volcano to
pour the “lava” when we erupt it at school. A small cup inside should be just
fine.
Paint or other decor items.
I’ve never made a volcano before! How do I do it?
Hooray for YouTube videos!!
If you want to make your own modeling dough, this video will be helpful,
just search “How to make a volcano easy science experiments” and it’ll pop up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1TL_vpM8Ec&ab_channel=WhizKidScie
nce
If you want to make your volcano with paper-mache and newspaper, plus paint
and varnish, just search “How to make a volcano for a science fair” and this
video will pop up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b_gltKtERY&ab_channel=RedTedArt
There are lots of different methods, but I think making your own dough or
using the Crayola model magic clay are probably the easiest two methods.
Just make sure that your surface is dry before you try to decorate it.
Can I work with a partner?
Yes, you can do this project individually or as a pair (make sure that each
partner does equal work though.)
What does my volcano need to include?
➔ LABEL THE TYPE OF VOLCANO: shield, cinder cone, composite cone (make sure
the shape and size of the volcano is correct for its type).
➔ Paint the volcano to make it look authentic.
➔ Make sure there’s a narrow cup or bottle inside for the lava. (This is the vent.)
➔ A tray that will contain the eruption.
➔ A paragraph describing what type of eruption you’d like to achieve. I will
provide the materials for the eruption itself.
➔ Extra credit if you engineer in a side vent.
➔ More extra credit if you make your volcano look like a real volcano that exists in
the world. Include its name!
Due Wednesday September 28, 2022
Bring it in the morning and place it on the counter; we will be using them during class time.
(You may bring it in early). You will need your activity manual p. 13/14 to record your
observations while we erupt the volcanoes.
Questions? Please email toth@calvaryeagles.org
Grading Rubric:
No effort
Fair
Good
Excellent
Volcano
Structure
____/50 pts
Volcano is missing
most of the items
that are required:
the volcano itself,
the container, and
the tray are missing,
or has only one out
of the three.
Volcano will work
for the activity, but
the sides or bottom
break, or doesn’t
have a container
inside for lava, or
doesn’t have
supporting tray.
Volcano is
well-made, has a
container, and a
supporting tray. It’s
good but not great.
Volcano is
excellently made,
with strong
materials, includes a
container inside for
lava, and has a good
supporting tray.
Shape & Type
Matching
____/25 pts
No effort to make an
accurate volcano
was made.
Volcano is just a
random volcano, not
one of the three
types. Type is NOT
labeled on the
project.
Volcano is
constructed as a
pretty close model
of a shield, cinder
cone, or composite
cone volcano. Type
is NOT labeled on
the project.
Volcano is
constructed as an
accurate model of a
shield, cinder cone,
or composite cone
volcano. Type is
labeled on the
project.
Paint & Decor
____/20 pts
No effort was made
to paint or decorate
the volcano in any
way.
Volcano is painted
hastily and messily,
and there’s no
surrounding
landscape.
Volcano is painted
but there’s no
surrounding
landscape.
Volcano is painted
and decorated with
surrounding
landscape.
Type of
Eruption
paragraph
____/5 pts
No description of the
type of eruption
desired was
provided.
A sentence
describing the type
of eruption desired
is provided.
A paragraph
describing the type
of eruption desired
is provided, but it
has errors.
A well-written
paragraph
describing the type
of eruption that’s
desired is provided.
Total points ______ out of 100 - counts as a Test/Project