PROCESS
Activity 1: CREATE A MURAL
The class will be divided into four groups of four people. Each group will create a mural. The topics of the murals are the following:
1. PARTS OF A VOLCANO.
You will have to specify the main parts of a volcano: magma chamber, vent, crater, lava, smoke...
The mural will have to contain some illustration indicating the main parts similar to the following.
2. HOW ARE VOLCANOES FORMED?
This mural should contain some information about the inner layers of the Earth and tectonic plates. Some illustrations like the following may help you.
3. SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS VOLCANOES OF THE WORLD
This mural will have to show pictures of the most famous volcanoes of the world and locate them in the country where it belongs. Try to show pictures of volcanoes in the five continents.
4. CONSEQUENCES OF SOME VOLCANOS ERUPTIONS
Make a research about some of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in history and show its consequences. Make a brief explanation of the disasters caused by them but also talk about the good consequences. Why are volcanos good and useful for the environmen?
Activity 2: BUILD YOUR OWN VOLCANO AND LET IT ERUPT
In the same groups, you will have to build your own volcano and let it erupt.
Materials
1. A bottle of Diet Coke (300ml). (Diet coke works better).
2. Roll of candies "Mentos".
3. Clay.
Process
1. Place the bottle of Diet Coke on a tray, cover the bottle with the clay and make a mountain shape. Leave the bottle with half of the liquid. Once you have the mountain shape, you can colour it to make it more real.
2. Now that we have the volcano, make it erupt. To do this, you just have to drop the "Mentos" into the bottle and wait for the eruption.
You will see how the mixture of the Coca-Cola Light with the "Mentos" provoque a reaction that suddenly makes the gas liquid come out.
Explanation
Why does this happen? The Diet Coke has thousands of carbon dioxido bubbles (gas). When you drop the "Mentos" into the soda, bubbles form all over the surface of the candy. Couple this with the fact that the candies are heavy and sink to the bottom of the bottle and you're just asking for an explosion.
When all this gas is released, it pushes all the liquid up and out of the bottle in an amazing blast.
Further Research
In addition to the mixture of Coca-Cola Light and "mentos", other blends can provoque a similar eruption. Try to guess which blends can cause a similar reaction.
Activity 3: MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE REST OF THE CLASS
Once you have your volcano miniature done, you will have to present it to the rest of the class. Your presentation must consist of showing your miniature and provoking the eruption. Try to make it real ! You can try with different amounts of liquid and "mentos" to create the best eruption.
In your presentation, you will have to explain with your own words how eruptions occur. Remember that heory and practice must go together in your presentation.