Eyewitness Volcano News Report

Students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge that a Volcano can act as a cooling vent for the Earth’s core. This ties into the different layers of the earth and how they interact with each other.

This also allows the kids to take the knowledge they know about volcanoes and incorporate a digital project from the viewpoint of an eyewitness account during a natural disaster.

1. Review material from text regarding volcanoes, Earth’s layers, and plate motion
a. Discuss information on the Earth’s hot metallic core containing iron and nickel liquids
b. Discuss the fact heat can escape the Earth’s core through a gap between tectonic plates.
c. Heat can also break through tectonic plates to reach the outside, emitting heat and material while relieving pressure within the core.
2. Break students up into groups. Have the kids decide who will perform certain tasks.
3. Explain that the group will be making their own volcanoes and recording their eruptions with a camera. They will be first hand reporters on the scene explaining what is taking place.
4. Have groups assign roles for each child (Builders, reporter, movie editor, scientist, volcano activator)
5. Use the newspaper and protective coverings to keep all areas clean
6. Take the small plastic bottle and show that this will be the Earth’s inner core.
a. Place bottle in baking pan
b. Mold clay and soil around the bottle creating a volcano type appearance, making sure not to cover the mouth of the bottle.
7. Have groups fill bottle up nearly full with warm water and add drops of red food coloring
8. Have groups add 6-8 drops of liquid detergent to the bottle.
9. Using the funnel, pour the baking soda into the bottle.

The Volcano is ready to erupt
10. Have the students prepare to take notes on the reaction that takes place when the vinegar is added to the bottle mixture.
11. Take digital video camera and place on tripod focused on the group volcano project. Make sure the volcano takes up the entire screen to give appearance of an actual volcano.
12. Add the vinegar slowly to the volcano bottle and begin recording with the digital video camera.
13. Once the reaction is observed, guide the students to discuss what was the physical connection that would have caused the volcano to erupt.
a. Also explain that the red, foaming mixture running down the side would be lava
14. Taking the notes they have written and experiences noted, have the groups create a script of an eyewitness account (news reporter). Prepare a question and answer with a scientist (expert) explaining the reactions taking place.
15. Once the script is prepared and rehearsed have students record their interviews using an iPod or compliant digital voice recording device w/ a microphone.
16. Using the video capture and audio recording, import all files to iMovie and have group create their own news report.
17. During the editing process encourage the groups to add titles, intros, outros, and breaks in between interview.
18. Blend audio recordings to match with action taking place during volcano eruption.
19. Have students review fully edited video in post production modes and submit the video to an online source (Teacher Tube, YouTube, or a Blogspot)
20. Have kids independently answer a few discussion questions to ensure everyone understood the concepts displayed