| Project 1: The Easy Volcano | | | | This volcano uses the power of Mentos and Diet |
| This is a minimum mess project. Instead of the | | | | Coke and it will erupt a spectacular stream a |
| traditional paper mache or clay technique for | | | | couple of feet into the air. You can make this |
| building the cone of the volcano you can use | | | | volcano with either of the earlier techniques but |
| poster board. The poster board will work fine for | | | | you really need to water seal the cone. If you |
| multiple uses but it is best if you seal it with paints | | | | don’t, the explosion of soda will ruin the |
| or even some kind of a spray sealer. The | | | | volcano and it won’t be usable more than |
| technique for making the cone of the volcano is | | | | once or twice. If you want to really make a fast |
| simple. You cut a slit from the middle of one side | | | | but durable and waterproof volcano you can use |
| (a long side) all the way to the center. Then you | | | | a spray can insulating material called Great Stuff. |
| just overlap both sides of the cut so the poster | | | | You place your two liter bottle of soda on a |
| board forms a cone much like a big party hat. | | | | board and then spray the Great Stuff all around it |
| When you have it in a pleasing cone shape simply | | | | so it forms the cone of the volcano. Once it is |
| tape the ends together so it stays in shape. Cut a | | | | dried you can paint it and you are ready to go. |
| hole in the top for your bottle and then trim the | | | | Great stuff will spray into a great looking magma |
| whole thing down to an appropriate size. Put your | | | | shape and it will take you about two minutes to |
| bottle inside it, stuff the cone with newspaper for | | | | make your volcano from start to finish. |
| strength then tape it down to a board. | | | | A note about use of Great Stuff: It is a common |
| Remember to paint it or spray seal it for durability | | | | insulating foam used in the building industry and it |
| against the erupting liquids of the volcano. Once it | | | | is not for children to use alone. It must be applied |
| dries it is ready for eruption. | | | | by an adult and safety glasses and safety gloves |
| Project 2: The Intermediate Volcano | | | | must be worn. Follow all safety instructions that |
| You select your bottle which can be just about | | | | are written on the can including application in a well |
| any size ranging from a 2 liter to a 20 ounce. | | | | ventilated area or outdoors. |
| Place it in the middle of a sturdy board then | | | | To erupt the Mentos and soda volcano: You |
| cover it with clay or paper mache so it forms the | | | | simply drop three mint Mentos into the bottle at |
| cone shape of the volcano. If using paper mache | | | | the same time and step quickly back! Three |
| or plaster build a frame of cardboard strips in the | | | | Mentos is the optimal number for the best |
| cone shape first then apply the paper mache to | | | | volcano and you can’t use the flavored type. |
| the frame. Once it is done you can paint it and it | | | | It has to be the normal mint. The key is to get |
| is ready to go. | | | | the Mentos to all drop in at the same time so you |
| To make either if these volcanoes erupt: | | | | should practice by holding a stack of three and |
| •fill it almost full with water | | | | then dropping them. Do this a few times into an |
| •put 4 or 5 drops of detergent right into the | | | | empty bottle so you get the feel of it. You can |
| water | | | | roll a tube out of a piece of paper and stack the |
| •Add Two Tablespoons of Baking Soda to the | | | | Mentos in that. Put a piece of cardboard over the |
| water | | | | bottle, place your tube of Mentos over the |
| •Put the Volcano over the bottle so it is in | | | | cardboard then when you pull the cardboard away |
| place and ready to go | | | | the Mentos will fall into the bottle. |
| •Pour some vinegar right into the volcano | | | | A note about the Soda: You don’t have to |
| bottle and watch it Erupt!! | | | | use Diet Coke. You can use just about any two |
| To Make Paper Mache: | | | | liter bottle of carbonated soda. But I recommend |
| Paper mache is easy to make. It is just two | | | | you use a diet variation because there is less |
| parts water with one part flour. Mix it to get a | | | | sugar and the resulting mess will be less sticky |
| nice gluey consistency. You then soak strips of | | | | and easier to clean. |
| paper towels in it and apply them to the shell to | | | | Making a volcano is a fun activity because you |
| get a nice volcano look. | | | | can learn about volcanoes and you can get to |
| Project 3: The Spectacular Volcano | | | | play with the volcano you made. |