Why do some volcanoes explode?

“The students love the hands on materials and exploring the types of lava. I love the videos and that the students pay close attention to Doug. It is nice to have a "guest" teacher giving the directions and explanations! We are loving these experiments and real life relationships. I also appreciate that students are expected to explain their thinking. Thank you for the great lesson.”

· Sara · Teacher

“The kids loved the gooey nature of the activity, and I loved being able to tie in the idea that scientists have to simulate real-world situations to understand them when they can't work with the actual subject (they can't go in a volcano).”

· Andrea · Teacher

“The students loved having the different types of lava and being able to experiment with each type to build the volcano on the plate. It served as a great visual for them to understand the concept and the differences between the types of volcanoes and types of lava.”

· Hallie · Teacher

“The students were engaged throughout the entire thing. The videos were interesting and easy to follow. The students wanted to discuss the pictures and topics. Also, saw and felt the differences between the types of lava. And in the end, they made conclusions!”

· Cecilia · Teacher

“The students LOVED the two lava labs! They made so many predictions, observations, and connections! Most groups had discovered the reason for exploding volcanoes through the labs and were exceptionally excited when the video confirmed their conclusions. Very engaging...highly recommend!”

· Tara · Teacher

“I think the students were able to see the thin and thick lava and how it would spread out or pile up. I liked that it was hard to blow the thick lava and they were able to feel the pressure and the big release. It was also easy prep! LOVE MYSTERY SCIENCE!”

· Patty · Teacher

“The students loved creating the bubbles and the explanation of how the gasses build up, on the video, summed up their experience. Trying to make a mountain with both lava gave them the physical explanation of how volcanoes are formed from the different types of lava. My students (and I) love Mystery Science!”

· Kim · Teacher

“My students loved comparing and contrasting the differences in the "lava". They worked enthusiastically with their partners and were able to differentiate how the bubbles were easily blown or not, linking the task to comparison of shield or cone volcanoes. It was an awesome lesson! They were definitely interested in the extra activity as well. Thanks much!”

· Keshia · Teacher

“Great interactive experiments with "lava." I love the students' light-bulb moment when they realize that the lava creates the volcano mountain. They think back to Mystery 1 and say, "So a volcano really could pop-up in my backyard!" (AZ)”

· Natalie · Teacher

“Loved it! Was great for students to connect WHY they were blowing the bubbles with the clear video of what the bubbles were doing in a volcano. Excellent! We drew illustrations of the volcano types and the lava (thin/thick) and drew bubbles in the volcanoes also. Solidified the ideas, but the videos were so clear! I know students will go home and describe this for their parents. Thank you!”

· Judi · Teacher

“I love how the questions and thinking that was involved in deciding which lava went with which volcano. Even I thought at first that the thin lava came out of the cone volcano! Great exploration. Easy, cheap materials to obtain and prep and most of all the kids had fun and understood the concepts. ”

· Catherine · Teacher

“This lesson went great. My students were able to identify the 2 types of volcanoes and lava rocks( (lava rock samples) not included. The only thing that would have made this lesson extraordinary is if somehow Mystery Science sees fit and provide a science kit with some samples and a few hands on items for your subscribers to purchase, for these young minds. ”

· · Teacher

“They love the activities and were able to complete with a partner because the directions are easy to follow. Thank you ”

· Nancy · Teacher

“The class was so excited to get started that they began hypothesizing before we even started the lesson!”

· Clint · Teacher

“This was a great lesson as these kids live in Washington state. They are too young to have experienced Mt St. Helens blow. They were very engaged in the lesson.”

· Chris · Teacher

“Having all the paperwork and a list of supplies I need to provide to enable them to experiment. :)”

· Donna · Teacher

“My student were discussing a hill on a field trip we were on, trying to determine whether it would be a cone volcano or a shield volcano!”

· Christina · Teacher

“I loved how the kids blew into the thin and thick lava and could see how bubbles formed. Also, there was a clear understanding between putting the lava on the plate and seeing the shape that gets formed. Very concrete and clear!!”

· Stephanie · Teacher

“Seeing the kids make the connection about how the lava in the experiment is just like how a real volcano explodes”

· Angela · Teacher

“Everything was well organized. The videos that accompany the experiment explain things perfectly. My kids loved this experiment! ”

· Amanda · Homeschooler

“Boys LOVED it! I had a lot of WOW's. they enjoyed the lava experiment :-) ”

· Monika · Homeschooler

“Playing with the two types of lava really got the kids thinking and considering what it would create and why. Everyone enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thank you!!”

· Cynthia · Homeschooler

“The students thoroughly enjoyed another hands-on lesson. I appreciate the ease of getting the materials together, and they model really helped them see why the volcanoes explode differently! They went into it with a misconception of doing the "vinegar" experiment they all know to knew learning and understanding.”

· Lisa · Teacher

“My daughter had so much fun! I loved the interactive component to work with the video and that the supplies for the experiments and the worksheets were easy to find and work with. The answers to the assessment questions were well written and the answers having both easy and complex answers helped grade! :-) We also loved the supplementary optional activities! Love this so far!”

· Jaclyn · Homeschooler

“Trying to blow just one bubble in the thin lava. Some of them managed it!”

· Heather · Teacher

“we enjoyed the thick lava a ton! great videos to explain, thanks”

· Josh · Teacher

“The best part was seeing the different way the bubbles travelled in each lava. ”

· Natalie · Homeschooler

“Watching the kids blow bubbles into the lava really made them understand how pressure builds.”

· Mindy · Teacher

“The students were more familiar with the Mystery Science format, and very excited just to get going. They worked better in pairs this time, too, something we've work on all year. The content is very engaging, which seems to promote the cooperation and exchange of ideas.”

· Sharon · Teacher

“hands on learning about WHY they are shaped this way...”

· Jennifer · Teacher

“The hands on part with the thick and thin lava”

· Kathy · Teacher

“I could stay engaged. I learned volcanoes can explode in space. We liked seeing the difference between what Mt. St. Helen looked looked like before and after the explosion. I learned how rocks get moved from one place to another. ”

· Nancy · Teacher

“The students loved experimenting with the lava. Although, only about 1/2 of them got the correct answer (which volcano has which type of lava) through the experiment. However, the ending video really helped clarify and answer their questions. Good learning experiment! ”

· Brittney · Teacher

“Kids loved the videos and the fun experiment. Many said they'd continue experimenting at home, which this teacher loves to hear. :)”

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“The students LOVED testing out the two different types of lava! It was fun blowing bubbles into them.”

· Barbara · Teacher

“They loved the big bubble of thick lava”

· Crystal · Teacher

“My class liked making and experimenting with the different kinds of lava. It was really informative and fun!”

· Stacey · Teacher

“I love the steps we take to get to the answer. It ios so much fun for the kids and for myself. These lessons are so amazing. Love this way of teaching!! ”

· Wendy · Teacher

“Everything! I love how interactive it is and there is hardly any prep work on the teacher! My kids were engaged and loved every minute of it!”

· Sarah · Teacher

“Just $4 to purchase supplies. Quick and easy items to prep. Observations and Analysis done by students. Great directions and assessment provided within lesson. Exciting video to draw in students's attention.”

· Karen · Teacher

“The interpretation of the results linked to the hook. Made the activity purposeful.”

· Richard · Teacher

“The easy and engaging lesson and experiment transitioned perfectly into the follow-up videos. They couldn't wait for more!”

· Michelle · Teacher

“this is a favorite of mine to use! all videos are coherent, timely, and relevant to the activity and concept.”

· Christina · Teacher

“The students loved learning about volcanoes! We even did a research project based on a volcano of their choice. They used information they learned about in their reports like cone and shield volcanoes.”

· Rachel · Teacher

“The vocabulary of shield/cone volacno and felsite and basalt. The kids remembered these terms. They loved seeing the "lava" They could totally understand how the the different volcanoes were formed based on their type of lava. I look forward to seeing their assessments and seeing how well they retained the information. ”

· Christa · Teacher

“The videos are incredible. There is no comparison to anything I've been using before.”

· Mary · Teacher

“The best part of the project was seeing the kids make the connections to the inquiry question. The kids were so amazed by it that you could literally see the light bulb on top of their heads.”

· Regina · Teacher

“I appreciate how everything is put together so well- these lessons flow. I was thankful for the video that demonstrated the most efficient way to make the lava. I also appreciate all of the visuals, videos and slides. The students enjoy the "find a partner" slides. I look forward to my next mystery!”

· Katie · Teacher

“We LOVED everything about this one! My kids were completely engrossed and the experiment was simple enough for even me to do! (I am infamous for failed science experiments)”

· Tarese · Homeschooler

“These lessons are perfect for a homeschooling parent!”

· Jamie · Homeschooler

“It was a ton of fun. It's so easy for me to sue. I can just follow along. I love how the experiments are shown step by step.”

· Kari · Teacher

“The students were amazed to learn that there are different types of volcanoes that do different things. They made reasonable predictions from the experiment based on what they learned. And of course, they loved the idea that this was messy.”

· Dave · Teacher

“The kids loved comparing their own results to the video! They were so engaged! Also, the materials were very simple and inexpensive!”

· Hannah · Teacher

“The activity really demonstrated how the different lava types produce volcanoes that erupt differently. It came together beautifully.”

· Stephanie · Homeschooler

“What an easy and informative way to teach the students. They loved it.”

· · Teacher

“It was a lot of fun and my kids LOVED looking at the different lava that each volcano has. They have even been referencing them as shield and cone volcanoes in other lessons! ”

· Sarah · Teacher

“The kids are so involved and excited when they see that science is on our schedule. Also the prep and clean up is not too onerous! ”

· Ann · Teacher

“blowing bubble in the "lava". Even I (an adult) am learning stuff on volcanoes! ”

· Che · Homeschooler

“This was a great lesson. The videos and lessons clearly explained why volcanoes explode. The Bubble Trouble experiment was a bit hit in my class. At the end of the lesson, one student said, "Learning about volcanoes makes me want to be a scientist when I grow up."”

· Monique · Teacher

“We loved this lesson! We were able to tie in a history lesson on Pompei which my kids found fascinating! I can not say enough about Mystery Science and how it has made this subject fun and pain free for all of us :) ”

· Tamara · Homeschooler

“It really helped the students understand the difference between a cone and shield volcano! The video that went along with it was great! LOVE this website. I have recommended it to my entire school! ”

· Amy · Teacher

“The students really enjoyed making the lava and they could "see" the differences in the way it flowed, piled up, and became the two different types of volcanoes! The assessments proved their knowledge of what they had "Scienced".”

· Susan · Teacher

“My 6th graders had a blast! They love these lessons!! The videos are really intriguing and they are able to complete the experiments independently. They are always begging me for more! ”

· Michelle · Teacher

“The video/instruction was excellent. My fifth graders were engaged in the thin and thick lava activity. The blowing of air through a straw into the lava was an ingenious way to demonstrate pressure build up. My kids 'got it'!”

· Julie · Teacher

“I love these lessons! Everything is right there. The video clips and questions are great. My students get so involved in these lessons and everyone participates. As I walk around the classroom, I hear great discussions between the students.”

· Toni · Teacher

“The lesson was very creative and well done. The students loved the pictures of the volcanoes, AND they loved the blowing of bubbles!”

· Shirley · Teacher

“We loved it. The pacing is great. Love the pauses for thinking and discussing. Students are engaged and learning! Activity sheets support process and concept development.”

· Arlys · Teacher

“My daughter loves the experiments! She is having fun while learning, which I love. :)”

· Jennifer · Homeschooler

“The students loved experimenting with the different types of "lava", it was a sensory experience that most are still talking about over a week later. ”

· Alexandra · Teacher

“My son loved the simulator in the Extras. He loved the videos and he loved the experiment”

· Mia · Homeschooler

“The experiment was very easy to do, and only needed stuff that I already had in my kitchen! I learned right along with my son. Very engaging.”

· Erin · Homeschooler

“My son was eager to do Rocks Mystery 2 and told his siblings all about it at dinner. What I love about this program is how easy it is for me and how engaged we both get in the topic. After this lesson we looked up several active volcanoes in the world and spent several hours learning about them. ”

· Tracy · Homeschooler

Lava Experiments worksheet	1 per student
Lava Mat printout	1 per pair
Table Covering (eg. Trash Bags)	2 bags per pair
Clear Plastic Cups (10 oz) Dixie cups will also work.	Details 2 cups per pair
Flour	2 cups per class
Measuring Cup	1 cup per class
Paper Plates	1 plate per pair
Plastic Spoons	1 spoon per pair
Plastic Straws (Not Bendable)	1 straw per student
Ziploc Bags (Gallon) Used to mix the flour and water. Can also use a large mixing bowl.	Details 1 bag per class

Spanish narration on!

Click play to start.

¿Por qué algunos volcanes tienen erupciones explosivas?

roca

volcán

erupcionar

lava

volcán cónico

volcán en escudo

basalto

felsita

experimento

modelo

Image & Video Credits

15 mins

35 mins

5 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Unit Reading

Mini-lessons

Transcripts

Spanish narration on!

Click play to start.

¿Por qué algunos volcanes tienen erupciones explosivas?

roca

volcán

erupcionar

lava

volcán cónico

volcán en escudo

basalto

felsita

experimento

modelo

Image & Video Credits

Featured Reviews

Activity Prep

Prepare the “Lava”

Fill Cups with “Lava”

15 mins

35 mins

5 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Unit Reading

5 Facts About Volcanoes That Will Make Your Brain Explode (Not Really)

Mini-lessons

Transcripts

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