Volcano Project

What You Need:

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• Modeling clay 
• Newspaper
• 3 drops red food dye (optional)
• ¼ cup of vinegar
• 3 drops liquid soap
• Safety goggles

What You Do:

1. Have your child help you cover your work surface with newspaper.
2. Invite your child to form a volcano shape out of the modeling clay. It should be about 6 inches high.
3. If you have red modeling clay or paint available, use it for the volcano rim. 
4. Invite your child to poke an opening in the volcano that's about 4 inches deep and 2 inches wide.
5. Add one tablespoon of fresh baking soda. (Stale soda will not create a proper alkaline reaction!) If available, add 3 drops of red food coloring to the baking soda for a more colorful eruption.
6. Ask your child to add 3 drops of liquid soap to the mixture.
7. Now, it's time to put on your safety goggles! Get ready to stand back.
8. Invite your child to add the ¼ cup of vinegar, and see what happens! 

What Happened?

The volcano “erupted” when the acidic vinegar came into contact with the alkaline baking soda, which neutralized it. The mixture then emitted carbon dioxide, which created the bubbles and popping noises.

Fun Volcano Fact:

What is the difference between lava and magma? Magma is underground liquid rock. As soon as magma shoots out of a volcano, it’s called lava!