Tivoraly
Editable project template

Volcano Scientist

Investigate how volcanoes work, run a safe eruption experiment and record your data.

Your mission

Explain what makes a volcano erupt — and prove it with an experiment.

Learning goals

  • • Explain plate movement and eruptions
  • • Run a fair test
  • • Record and compare results

You'll need

  • • Bicarb soda
  • • Vinegar
  • • A tray
  • • Container for the volcano

Optional: Camera or tablet for photos of your work

  • An adult must supervise the eruption experiment.
  • Do the experiment outside or on a tray. Wear eye protection.
  • Never use real heat or chemicals other than bicarb and vinegar.

Project stages

0/5 tasks

Discover

~25 min

Find out what you already know and gather ideas before you start building.

  • How volcanoes work

    Find out what magma is and why it rises.

    ~25 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your discover work and explain why you chose it.

Plan

~20 min

Turn your ideas into a plan you can actually follow.

  • Fair test plan

    Decide what you'll change and what you'll keep the same.

    ~20 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your plan work and explain why you chose it.

Create

~45 min

Make the main part of your project.

  • Build and erupt

    Build the volcano and run your eruption with an adult.

    ~45 min · Parent guidance: Stay nearby for set-up, then let your learner lead.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your create work and explain why you chose it.

Test

~25 min

Try it out and see what works.

  • Measure it

    Record how high and how long each eruption lasted.

    ~25 min · Parent guidance: Stay nearby for set-up, then let your learner lead.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your test work and explain why you chose it.

Reflect

~20 min

Think about what you learned and what you would do next time.

  • Science write-up

    Write what you found out and what caused it.

    ~20 min · Parent guidance: Check in at the end of the task and talk it through together.

    Extra challenge: add one more detail to your reflect work and explain why you chose it.

Australian Curriculum links

Science · Inquiry and skills

Learners apply Science skills while planning, making and presenting "Volcano Scientist".

Editorial mapping pending verification

Mathematics · Measurement and Space

Learners apply Mathematics skills while planning, making and presenting "Volcano Scientist".

Editorial mapping pending verification

English · Inquiry and skills

Learners apply English skills while planning, making and presenting "Volcano Scientist".

Editorial mapping pending verification

Curriculum links are editorial suggestions only. Tivoraly is not endorsed by or affiliated with ACARA.

Reflection

  • • What part of this project are you most proud of?
  • • What was tricky, and how did you work it out?
  • • What would you change if you did it again?
  • • What is one new thing you can now explain to someone else?

Completion checklist

  • ☐ All stages marked complete
  • ☐ Final product finished
  • ☐ Evidence uploaded (photo, writing, audio or video)
  • ☐ Reflection questions answered
  • ☐ Presented to family or group
  • ☐ Parent review complete