After a great introduction to Geology by our resident geologist and middle school science teacher, Mr. Pendergrass, our class headed upstairs to the MCS Makerspace to learn about and make their own Volcanoes with our Enrichment/STEAM Teacher, Tricia Finkle. The students used tiny water bottles for the base and built their mountain with clay. Mrs. Finkle went over the safety procedures and gave each child goggles to wear.

When the mountains were completed we added baking soda and vinegar and each child tried to place the cap back on their bottle. The reactions were priceless! Mrs. Finkle explained, “This is the way most volcanoes erupt. They flow over rather than explode.” We then went outside to experience the pyroclastic volcano that explodes like bombs. We used a film canister with Alka-Seltzer and water. We added a little dirt for effect. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blast-off!

Patrice Rogers
Kindergarten Teacher

View more photos: