Mini-Volcano

What you need:

• large paper plate 
• two 3 oz. paper cups 
• aluminum foil 
• scotch tape 
• 2 tablespoons of water 
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda 
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar 
• large baking pan

What to do:
Build your "volcano"

1. Tape the bottom of one of the cups to the middle of the paper plate.
2. Tear off a piece of foil large enough to cover the cup and plate completely.
3. Place the foil over the cup and plate and turn the foil under the plate edge. Tape foil in place.
4. Poke a hole through the foil into the middle of the cup.
5. Tear strips in the foil so that it may be easily folded down along the inside edge of the cup.

Help your volcano erupt!

1. Place your volcano in the pan (an eruption can get messy!).
2. Fill the volcano cup with the 2 tablespoons of water.
3. Stir in the tablespoon of baking soda until it dissolves.
4. Measure the 2 tablespoons of vinegar into the other paper cup.
5. Ask your child to predict what will happen when you pour the vinegar into the volcano. Pour it in and watch it erupt!
6. Discuss the reaction. The "lava" bubbles that erupt are filled with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is a gas that forms when an acid — the vinegar — reacts with a base — the baking soda.

Learning Benefits: 

• strengthens experimentation skills 
• builds observation abilities 
• provides experience with chemical reactions

For more Play! Scholastic fun visit: http://www.scholastic.com/play/index.htm