Glitter Volcano: Science at Home

I am far from a stellar science teacher...as in not even in this galaxy. So, when another homeschool mom, aka Alicia, offers to facilitate a fun science project over Zoom...I RSVP "YES" faster than a shooting star! 😁 

I wanted to share this fun project that my son was able to do and show you that you too can administer a fun project with your kids at home. What age is this good for you ask? Well my son is nearly 14 and so are most of the kids that were in on the Zoom. So, I basically feel like...this is really appropriate for any age. I mean, I was mesmerized! 

What You Need:
●A cup or glass (We used a solo cup.) 
●Aluminum Foil or Salt Dough (See recipe below)
●Baking soda
●Vinegar
Optional: Dishsoap for bubbling effect!
Also optional: Food coloring and Lego guys!

Create the volcano base and tower by wrapping the salt dough or foil around the cup--open side up!
If using salt dough, this is when you can add food coloring to the volcano--my son used rubber gloves for this part.

This is where Alicia lead a very interesting discussion with q&a on volcanoes. You can choose how academic to make this. I was very happy that Alicia gave the kids some context and made them think about volcanoes around the world for a bit. It's not something we talk about often.

For the fun part: Add some baking soda to the cup. Then add dish soap if you'd like.

Then...pour in the vinegar and watch just how fun it is when "a new chemical called carbonic acid is made. This carbonic acid immediately decomposes into carbon dioxide gas. When you mix the vinegar and baking soda, it's the carbon dioxide gas that makes the bubbles." {Thanks Google.}

No silly, just watch the foam pour out and over. It's just like those videos you get stuck watching where you know the soda bottle will explode once the Mentos hit the Coca-Cola--but it's riveting! And, this is SAFE! 

Important: We had a deep tray under ours to avoid big messes. I highly recommend this!
Do it again and again because it never got old! 

Salt Dough: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water. Mix dry together well. Then add the water a little at a time and knead until dough forms. Then let sit for 20 min. Remember this is salt dough, so keep away from pets!

Have fun and let me know if you did this. I'll tell Alicia--because well, it's just the right thing to do to give credit where credit is due! 

Thanks Alicia! 

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