Classical Values :: Science Toys

December 31, 2008

Science Toys - 1 Volcano Making Kit

I have been thinking lately about the abysmal state of science in America and have decided to do something about it. So I'm going to put up a post every week or so about science toys and the science books that go with them.

The first one I'm going to look at is a Volcano Making Kit The price is right at about $10 and it is powered by baking soda and vinegar. Read the comments at the link before going ahead with this project. It is not easy. It requires thinking about what you are doing and some advance planning. A lot is covered in the reviews. However, the reviews for the most part are good. And besides kids (and adults) love to see volcanoes blow their tops. And no toxic chemicals are required which is always a consideration for young kids.

A good book to go with the kit is Volcanoes (The Wonders of Our World). If you want a nice picture book on volcanoes the National Geographic is always a good choice: National Geographic - Volcano!.

A poster helps to remind kids of a subject. The Chemistry of Geology - 27.5 x 18.75

And lastly for now a little deeper look into the subject, a textbook. Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe.

Cross Posted at Power and Control

posted by Simon on 12.31.08 at 06:24 PM

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Comments

Science is great fun. I had more fun helping my kids with science projects than anything else.

In fact, my youngest won an award from the Navy with a scholarship offer, except she couldn't meet their physical requirements. (Eyesight so bad that contacts + glasses still won't get you to 20/20 will keep one out of the military.)

The neat thing about her experiment is that she was never able to get it to work, but the idea was so intriguing that she won at the school and county levels, ending up at the state level contest twice with variations on the same idea.

Someday you may see working brakes involving magnets :-)

Donna B. · December 31, 2008 07:28 PM

Eh, for a "volcano", I say it's more fun to just go to the kitchen and grab that baking soda and vinegar and save most of the $10. :D

silvermine · December 31, 2008 10:17 PM

Well this is great. I'll look forward to it.

Mold McFungus · December 31, 2008 10:30 PM

FWIW, my father, the geologist, had us make these things every so often. The shape of the volcano came from a little chicken wire. At the top we made sort of a circular opening with a recessed cradle for anything from a test tube to a small beaker. We then clad it in papier-mache, let it dry and painted it. Eventually we added in the baking soda and vinegar and watched it foam. Sometimes we added coloring to the vinegar and some powdered clay to the baking soda (goopier foam). I seem to recall throwing in some vermiculite one time. Done in stages, this could occupy anywhere from one to three rainy days.

italtrav · January 1, 2009 12:49 AM

When I was a kid, I was always a sucker for the "visible" models. I recall the V-8 engine, the male and female humans, and even though it wasn't actually part of the series, the Polaris submarine with the clear plastic hull.

Steve Skubinna · January 1, 2009 09:23 AM

I've made many paper mache volcanoes, they are one time use only, but loads of fun. I even won a science fair once for one. I thought that was the silliest award I ever won, I waited until the last minute to put something else together (I forget what) but it wasn't going to be done in time so I reverted to my old stand-by and won. If you add red food coloring to clear, cider vinegar, your lava comes out red too.

Mine usually had dinosaurs on the slopes for some reason, whenever I think volcano I think "dinosaur".

Veeshir · January 2, 2009 12:42 PM