Unit 3 WebQuest Project

Cooking Up a Mystery!

Introduction | Task | Process | Guidance | Resources | Conclusion

Introduction
Have you ever wanted to be a scientist so you could mix substances together to create chemical reactions? Come join us on an explosive scientific adventure. Along the way, you'll discover the recipe for making a homemade volcano erupt. You'll also gather data about real volcanoes. So pack your up your math tools and don't forget a fireproof suit. This adventure is hot, hot, hot!

Volcano Challenge 1:
First, follow a recipe to create your own volcano.

Volcano Challenge 2:
Next, research information about real volcanoes.

Volcano Challenge 3:
Last, create a presentation that includes your model volcano and displays your volcano data.

Volcano Challenge 1:

Follow this recipe to create your unknown substance.

Volcano Recipe

Name: ____________________________________________

Date: _______________

Below are the directions you must follow to successfully create your mystery math mixture. Show all of your calculations and final ingredient measures on a separate sheet of paper. Then make sure you measure each ingredient carefully. Be sure not to skip any steps.

Step 1:

Combine the followingt ingredients in a large bowl.

•			cups of salt
•		cups of flour
•		tablespoons of Cream of Tartar

Step 2:

Once you have mixed the above ingredients thoroughly, add the following ingredients. You will need an adult to help you adding the last ingredient.

•				cup of vegetable oil
•		drops of yellow or green food coloring
•		cups of boiling water

Mix all of these ingredients together and let the mixture cool.

Once your mixture has cooled, cover a work area with newspapers. Then take a

small plastic soda bottle and mold your dough around it to form your volcano. Be sure to leave an opening at the top for your lava to seep out. Fill the bottle full

of water and then add two to three drops of red food coloring.

Step 4:

Use a funnel to add the following ingredients to the bottle in the exact order they are given.

•				drops of liquid detergent
•		tablespoons of baking soda

Now, very slowly pour in a small amount of vinegar until your volcano erupts.

So, did your mystery mixture work properly? If not, go through your calculations again to see if you made a mistake.

Volcano Challenge 2:

1. Research five different volcanoes from around the world. For each volcano, determine its latitude and longitude, estimated area, and total number of known eruptions.
   
   
2. Once you have completed your research, you need to write a report that includes at least one paragraph for each volcano that you researched. Include any additional interesting information that you found while researching each volcano.
   
   
3. Once your research has been completed, create a graph that represents the total number of eruptions each volcano has experienced.
   

Volcano Challenge 3:

Create a presentation that includes the following:

• all of your calculations and final ingredient amounts for your volcano recipe,
  
• your volcano model,
  
• your report, and
  
• your graphs.
  
  

Volcano Challenge 1:

1. To review writing decimals as fractions, refer to Lesson 5-6.
   
2. To review writing from fractions as decimals, refer to Lesson 5-7.
   
3. To review adding and subtracting decimals, refer to Lesson 3-5.
   
4. To review multiplying and dividing decimals, refer to Lessons 4-1 through 4-4.
   
5. To review adding and subtracting fractions, refer to Lessons 6-3 though 6-6.
   
6. To review multiplying and dividing fractions, refer to Lessons 7-2 through 7-5.

Volcano Challenge 2:

1. Here is some additional information that you might want to include in your paragraph:
   
   • the country in which the volcano is located;
     
   • the number of surrounding towns;
     
   • the largest eruption the volcano has experienced;
     
   • the height of the volcano; and
     
   • the amount of lava found inside the volcano.
     
2. Choose from the following types of graphs:
   
   • frequency table,
     
   • bar graph,
     
   • line graph, or
     
   • stem-and-leaf plot.

Remember, choose a graph that is appropriate for your data. Refer to Chapter 2 in your text.

Volcano Challenge 3:

Some of the presentations that you could create are a booklet, a poster, or a newspaper/magazine article.

Resources

Below are some helpful Web sites that you can use to do your research. You are not, however, limited to these Web sites.

Earth’s Active Volcanoes
Global Volcanism Program
National Atlas
Volcanoes Around the World

Conclusion
So how did you do? Did your volcano erupt? We hope so. We also hope you learned more about these amazing natural phenomena and are as fascinated by them as we are. Thanks for all your hard work!!