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Make a Volcano

A companion sheet — print it, scribble on it, keep it or recycle it

Voleio

What we're doing

Build it, erupt it, then find out what actually happens inside a real one.

  • About 60 minutes
  • Science
  • Experiment

Gather these

  • Bicarbonate of soda
  • Vinegar
  • Washing-up liquid
  • Tray
  • Card or clay

Step by step

  • Build a cone around a small bottle or cup.
  • Add bicarbonate of soda and a squirt of washing-up liquid.
  • Pour in vinegar and stand back.
  • Repeat with a different amount and compare.

Worth talking about

Acids and bases
Volcano structure
Fair testing
VOLEIOMake a VolcanoPage 1 of 3

Record what happened

There's no wrong way to fill this in

Voleio

What we did

Write, list or draw — whatever suits today.

Skills we touched on

SkillHow it showed up

Reflect together

What surprised you about make a volcano?
What was the easiest part? What was the fiddliest?
What would you change if you did it again tomorrow?
VOLEIOMake a VolcanoPage 2 of 3

Take it further

Three doors out of the same activity

Voleio

If it felt tricky

Skip the building and erupt in a cup on a tray.

If it felt easy

Measure quantities and record eruption height as data.

If you'd rather do it differently

Take it outside and build a mountain range in the mud.

Next time, we could

  • Try it outdoors
  • Invite a friend or sibling
  • Stretch it over a whole week

Our own ideas