Model volcanos often feature at science fairs.
A volcano is a break in the Earth's surface that allows hot magma, volcanic ash and gases to escape from below. When making your volcano structure, you might want to replicate the archetypal volcano shape, which is a cone. However, volcanoes have several different shapes and many are underwater. According to Science Project Lab, volcano projects are perhaps the most popular science fair projects.
Papier-mâch
Papier-mâch is a mixture of scraps of paper and glue, such as wallpaper paste. To make a volcano structure, first blow up and tie a balloon. Sellotape it onto a base with the tied end pointing upwards. This gives a shape that is bulbous at the bottom and pointed at the top, like a volcano. Cover the balloon almost completely with several layers of papier-mâch , but form a roughly circular crater around the tied end. Pop the balloon and remove it when you're the papier-mâch is dry. Then paint your volcano structure.
Food
For an edible volcano, use a large fruit like a pumpkin or melon. Cut off one end so that your edible volcano structure will stand. Sculpt out the volcanic shape with a knife to cut into the skin, and a spoon, to scoop out the flesh. Run thick strawberry sauce down the sides of your volcano structure to replicate escaping lava. Another way to make an edible volcano structure is to make or buy three basic sponge cakes of different sizes. Place the large one at the bottom, the middle-sized one on top of that and the small one on top of that. Cover the cakes in melted chocolate and add red icing for lava.
Sand
If you are on the beach, you can make a volcano shape from sand. Sand needs to be slightly damp to stick together, so pour some seawater on the sand first if it is too dry. Sculpt the familiar conical shape with your hands, patting the sides of your sand volcano to make it firm. Alternatively, use a spade to dig, mound and pat the sand into the right shape. A third way to make a volcano structure is simply to make a sandcastle using a bucket, then put an indentation in the top with your finger to make the crater.
Other
You can use wire and thin cardboard to make a volcano structure. Form a wire structure, or armature, to the correct shape, by wrapping it around an upturned bucket. Remove the armature then wrap the cardboard around it and stick it in place. You can also use plaster of Paris. Cover the inside of a flowerpot with Saran Wrap or other clingy plastic wrap. Place a stone wrapped in plastic film in the bottom of the flowerpot to form the crater. Mix up your plaster of Paris and pour it in. When it is set, tip it out and remove the stone and plastic wrap. Now use a file or sandpaper to roughen up the surface and make your volcano structure more realistic. Then paint your volcano structure.
Tags: volcano structure, your volcano structure, your volcano, make volcano, edible volcano
