Video trouble?

DISCUSS:
Here are some examples of each kind of volcano. What do you notice about the shape?

volcanoshapechart

DISCUSS:
Here are a couple of rocks collected from each type of volcano. What do you notice?

volcanorockchart

Video trouble?

rock

1 of 10

a solid natural material that is found on and under the surface of the Earth

volcano

2 of 10

a high area of land with an opening where lava flows or explodes out from

erupt

3 of 10

when lava quickly comes out of a volcano

lava

4 of 10

liquid rock that flows or explodes from a volcano

cone volcano

5 of 10

a volcano with slow-flowing, thick lava that usually erupts with an explosion

Video trouble?

shield volcano

6 of 10

a volcano with fast-flowing, thin lava that does not usually erupt with an explosion

Video trouble?

basalt

7 of 10

a type of rock formed when thin, fast-moving lava cools and is usually very dark in color

felsite

8 of 10

a type of rock formed when thick, slow-moving lava cools and is usually light in color

experiment

9 of 10

a test used to discover new information about a question

model

10 of 10

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with

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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Lesson Image

Java vulcan semeru by M. Rietze , used under CC BY-SA

Exploration

world map by Celestia , used under CC BY

spring transition by Spencer Thomas , used under CC BY

eruption plume by Mike Doukas

Mt. St. Helens by Harry Glicken

Mt. St. Helens today by SD4ever

timber by USGS

Reid Blackburn's car by Danial Dzurisin

volcano eruption from space station by NASA Goddard , used under CC BY

Vesuvius by Joseph Wright

Tavurvur volcano by Taro Taylor , used under CC BY

Hawaii lava hike by NewMastersound , used under CC BY

What is lava? by HUGEFloods.com , used under CC BY

Kilauea volcano by PublicResourceOrg , used under CC BY

Etna's crater by Boris Behncke , used under CC BY

Costarica by Samoano , used under CC BY-SA

Fuji by 名古屋太郎 , used under CC BY-SA

Mauna Kea by Nula666 , used under CC BY-SA

Mt. Mayon by Tomas Tam , used under CC BY

Pas bellecombe by Nananère , used under CC BY-SA

sheild volcanos by Smithsonian Institution , used under CC BY

lava flow by KillerPX1 , used under CC BY

Syracuse University lava project by Sam Morrison , used under CC BY

thick lava by Andi Rosadi / VolcanoDiscovery Indonesia , used under CC BY

Mount Semeru by permadhi , used under CC BY

Mt. St. Helens plume by Lyn Topinka

Activity

sheep by Daniel Flathagen , used under CC BY-SA

cup by DiegoAbud , used under CC BY-SA

pencil by Charm

spoon by SOLO Estonia , used under CC BY-SA

Credits

“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.”

“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).”

“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.”

“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!”

“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!”

“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!”

“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!”

“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!”

“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)”

“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!”

“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. ”

“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. ”

“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!!”

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

“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. ”

“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! ”

“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.”

“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.”

“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. ”

“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!”

“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.”

“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."”

“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 :) ”

“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! ”

“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".”

“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'!”

“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.”

“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. ”

Lava Experiments worksheet	30 copies
Lava Mat printout	Print 15 copies
Table Covering (eg. Trash Bags)	30 bags
Clear Plastic Cups (10 oz) Dixie cups will also work.	Details 30 cups
Flour	2 cups
Measuring Cup	1 cup
Paper Plates	15 plates
Plastic Spoons	15 spoons
Plastic Straws (Not Bendable)	30 straws
Ziploc Bags (Gallon) Used to mix the flour and water. Can also use a large mixing bowl.	Details 1 bag

Why do some volcanoes explode?

rock

volcano

erupt

lava

cone volcano

shield volcano

basalt

felsite

experiment

model

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Unit Reading

Assessments

Image & Video Credits

Standards

Jump to

15 mins

35 mins

5 mins

Share this lesson

Student link

Google Classroom

Email parents

Extend this lesson

Unit Reading

Mini-lessons

Transcripts

Why do some volcanoes explode?

rock

volcano

erupt

lava

cone volcano

shield volcano

basalt

felsite

experiment

model

Vocabulary

Unit Reading

Assessments

Image & Video Credits

Activity Prep

Vocabulary

Assessments

Prepare the “Lava”

Fill Cups with “Lava”

15 mins

35 mins

5 mins

Student link

Google Classroom

Email parents

Unit Reading

Mini-lessons

Transcripts

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