5:15 PM - 6:45 PM
[MZZ46-P10] Palm-sized stratovolcano using paraffin and volcanic ejecta - Experiments that you can take home and enjoy even after making them -
Keywords:volcano experiment, take out, palm size, education, children
As the Geopark with the closest volcanoes to the Tokyo metropolitan area, Hakone Geopark focuses on volcano education. For example, in "A Stratovolcano Experiment for Children Focused on Eating - Chocolate Biscuit Volcano" (Kurashina, 2023), by layering melted chocolate or crushed biscuits instead of lava or pumice, children can intuitively learn the concept of volcanic growth. Approximately 310 people enjoyed this experiment over the course of a year, but there were limitations such as stock end dates and the fact that the finished products had to be consumed at the site.
A number of non-food volcano experiments have already been developed, and "Development of experiment on polygenetic volcanoes using waste food oil" (Kasama, 2010) is being conducted at Hakone Geopark, mainly in elementary and junior high school classes.
However, recreating volcanic phenomena requires the scattering of materials, which makes the experiments large and difficult to clean up.
Therefore, we aimed to create a highly complete volcano experiment that is easy to prepare and clean up, compact enough to take home, and has mechanisms that can be enjoyed at home.
In 8 2023, we conducted an experiment with the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History in which fifty-six children took part.
Procedure
Create a stratovolcano by replacing volcanic ejecta with three varied materials (A, B, and C).
Lava is represented by paraffin "A" liquefied by hot water bath. Paraffin is the raw material of candles. Pumice and volcanic bombs are fine-grained Hoei scoria "B" collected and sifted from a field at home for this experiment. In general, a garden pumice such as Kanuma stone or Akadamatsuchi (about 2 mmφ.) is fine. Volcanic ash is powdered garden pumice "C".
To begin, spread a cookie sheet on a paper plate and place an aluminum lunch cup on it (80 mmφ.). Pour a spoonful of liquid "A" over it. Watch as the lava cools and solidifies to form the foot of a mountain (Fig. 1 ①). Place an incense stick that resembles a path of fire in the center of "A" as it begins to solidify. Because of the angle of stability, the height of the tip of the incense stick should be about 2 cm in relation to the 80 mmφ of the base. Next, let "B" and "C" fall from above as volcanic ejecta. In addition, by descending alternately from B→C→A→B..., we can see how the volcano grows by eruption (Fig. 1 ③). Stack the incense sticks until the tips of the sticks protrude about 2 mm. Finally, sprinkle glue dissolved in water to harden the mountain body (Fig. 1 ④). Place the volcano on top of the inverted food cup lid (86mmφ) and attach the food cup. A portable-sized stratovolcano is complete (Fig. 3).
Result
Since paraffin changes color from clear to white at different temperatures, it can be well saw as it hardens from the outside. We also saw wrinkles that looked exactly like lava wrinkles (Fig. 2). In this experiment, we focused on heat retention, so the shape of a lava dome was hardly saw, and a stable stratovolcano was formed (Fig. 3).
During the experiment, participants wore gloves to prevent burns. Vinyl gloves are best because they do not soak in hot liquids. In addition, bento pottery (made by Oginoya), which has excellent stability and heat retention, was used to dissolve the paraffin (heat-resistant glass can also be used as a container). As a result, no participants suffered burns or overturned containers.
We supplied the following caution to parents. When you remove the finished product from the cup and light the incense stick, the smoke should rise like a volcano (Fig. 4). The smoke should disappear by itself after about 2 minutes (can be repeated several times). The fire will go out naturally but be sure to sprinkle water on it at the end.
We have received several requests for courses starting in 2024. We will continue to offer different plans tailored to customer needs and contribute to raising the level of volcano education.
A number of non-food volcano experiments have already been developed, and "Development of experiment on polygenetic volcanoes using waste food oil" (Kasama, 2010) is being conducted at Hakone Geopark, mainly in elementary and junior high school classes.
However, recreating volcanic phenomena requires the scattering of materials, which makes the experiments large and difficult to clean up.
Therefore, we aimed to create a highly complete volcano experiment that is easy to prepare and clean up, compact enough to take home, and has mechanisms that can be enjoyed at home.
In 8 2023, we conducted an experiment with the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History in which fifty-six children took part.
Procedure
Create a stratovolcano by replacing volcanic ejecta with three varied materials (A, B, and C).
Lava is represented by paraffin "A" liquefied by hot water bath. Paraffin is the raw material of candles. Pumice and volcanic bombs are fine-grained Hoei scoria "B" collected and sifted from a field at home for this experiment. In general, a garden pumice such as Kanuma stone or Akadamatsuchi (about 2 mmφ.) is fine. Volcanic ash is powdered garden pumice "C".
To begin, spread a cookie sheet on a paper plate and place an aluminum lunch cup on it (80 mmφ.). Pour a spoonful of liquid "A" over it. Watch as the lava cools and solidifies to form the foot of a mountain (Fig. 1 ①). Place an incense stick that resembles a path of fire in the center of "A" as it begins to solidify. Because of the angle of stability, the height of the tip of the incense stick should be about 2 cm in relation to the 80 mmφ of the base. Next, let "B" and "C" fall from above as volcanic ejecta. In addition, by descending alternately from B→C→A→B..., we can see how the volcano grows by eruption (Fig. 1 ③). Stack the incense sticks until the tips of the sticks protrude about 2 mm. Finally, sprinkle glue dissolved in water to harden the mountain body (Fig. 1 ④). Place the volcano on top of the inverted food cup lid (86mmφ) and attach the food cup. A portable-sized stratovolcano is complete (Fig. 3).
Result
Since paraffin changes color from clear to white at different temperatures, it can be well saw as it hardens from the outside. We also saw wrinkles that looked exactly like lava wrinkles (Fig. 2). In this experiment, we focused on heat retention, so the shape of a lava dome was hardly saw, and a stable stratovolcano was formed (Fig. 3).
During the experiment, participants wore gloves to prevent burns. Vinyl gloves are best because they do not soak in hot liquids. In addition, bento pottery (made by Oginoya), which has excellent stability and heat retention, was used to dissolve the paraffin (heat-resistant glass can also be used as a container). As a result, no participants suffered burns or overturned containers.
We supplied the following caution to parents. When you remove the finished product from the cup and light the incense stick, the smoke should rise like a volcano (Fig. 4). The smoke should disappear by itself after about 2 minutes (can be repeated several times). The fire will go out naturally but be sure to sprinkle water on it at the end.
We have received several requests for courses starting in 2024. We will continue to offer different plans tailored to customer needs and contribute to raising the level of volcano education.