Making a volcano

[DSchaffer 0]

I have to share this activity because it went so well.  The residents enjoyed making the volcano and the education two weeks later kept them engaged and I believe we all walked out of there learning something new about each other.

 

I started with making a papier-mache  volcano.  Instructions you can find on Pinterest.  The residents enjoyed getting their hands in the goo.  I had one woman constantly say "I'll stick to crocheting" but yet every time I needed a volunteer to add the next strip of paper she'd be the willing one.  We made two volcanos and once they dried as a 1:1 residents took turns painting it.  Also, some residents wanted their own volcano so we made smaller ones throughout the week as a 1:1.

 

As they dried I prepared a PowerPoint presentation with photos of volcanos throughout the world.  

 

On the day of eruption, prior to doing so, I drew the U.S. on a whiteboard and we discussed where volcanos were within the US.  We strayed a bit and it included discussion on traveling throughout the U.S. but that was ok.  Everyone got involved and that was the goal.  I then did the presentation with more discussion.  The eruption went great.  One flubbed but the other went well and there was laughter and clapping throughout.  Those who had individual volcanos also attempted eruptions.  

 

It was a great activity and I think breaking it into two gave the residents something to look forward to.  I definitely will be searching out other educations such as this.