As parents, we know that kids love activities that fizz, bubble, and explode (safely, of course!). One of the most exciting and easy science experiments for kids is creating a model volcano that erupts using baking soda and vinegar. This classic STEAM activity is perfect for introducing children to the fascinating world of chemistry while also encouraging creativity and hands-on learning.
About the Chemistry for Kids
At the heart of the baking soda and vinegar volcano is a simple yet exciting chemical reaction. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base, and vinegar (acetic acid) is an acid. When they are combined, they react to form carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. The carbon dioxide gas creates bubbles and foam, which rush out of the volcano’s opening, mimicking a real volcanic eruption.
This reaction is not just fun—it’s a great way for children to:
Learn about acids and bases
Observe gas formation
Understand cause-and-effect relationships in science
See how chemical reactions can be applied to real-world phenomena (like volcanic eruptions)
Hands-On Activity: Build and Erupt Your Own Model Volcano
Materials Needed:
Baking soda (about 2–3 tablespoons)
Vinegar (about 1 cup)
Dish soap (optional, for extra foamy lava)
Red and yellow food coloring (optional, for a lava look)
Small plastic cup or bottle (for the eruption chamber)
Modeling clay, playdough, or paper mache (to build the volcano)
A tray or large dish to contain the mess
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Build Your Volcano
Place your plastic cup or bottle in the center of the tray. Using clay, playdough, or paper mache, shape the volcano around the cup, leaving the top open. This is your volcano’s crater. Encourage kids to be creative—add rocks, trees, and other details to make it realistic.
Step 2: Prepare the “Lava”
In the cup, add:
2–3 tablespoons of baking soda
A few drops of dish soap (for foamier lava)
A few drops of red and yellow food coloring (for realistic lava color)
Step 3: Erupt the Volcano
When you’re ready for the eruption, pour vinegar into the cup and watch the foamy, bubbly lava flow out!
Step 4: Experiment and Explore
Encourage your child to try variations:
Use warm vinegar to see if the reaction speeds up.
Add more or less baking soda to see how it affects the eruption.
Try adding glitter for “sparkling lava.”
Discover Our Programs https://steamgeneration.org
Take the excitement of volcano-making to the next level with our hands-on STEAM activities. Nurture your child's potential, and who knows, the next great scientist or engineer might just be in your backyard!
"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work."
This quote has a special connection to Labor Day. Although everyone sees the business success, the hard work behind the scenes often goes unnoticed. That’s why we don’t miss any chance to shout out to our pillars.
In The STEAM Generation, Labor Day holds special meaning. Our mission to provide experiential STEAM learning to kids would not be possible without the countless hours and devotion of our volunteers.
In this exclusive conversation, our CEO Maureen Myrie shares her insights on the transformative role volunteers play in shaping the future of STEAM education and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Here are some excerpts from our discussion:
Why are volunteers so important to The STEAM Generation’s mission?
Volunteers are the backbone of our work. They bring diverse sets of skills and experiences that strengthen our programs, enabling us to operate more efficiently. Apart from logistics, they help students to real-world STEAM careers through mentorship and storytelling, sparking curiosity and confidence. And when it comes to large-scale events and workshops, volunteers make the impossible possible—we simply couldn’t do it without their support.
Can you share a memorable moment where volunteers made a real difference in a program or a student’s life?
One of the most inspiring examples was during our “Girls Let’s Build Day” workshop at the Protiviti office. Volunteers there went above and beyond, from packing engineering supply kits and sorting LEGO sets to guiding the girls through their engineering projects. Their support and contribution were instrumental in building the girls' confidence and enthusiasm for engineering.
But what truly stood out was when Protiviti staff shared their personal career journeys in STEAM. That mentorship and storytelling gave our students a glimpse into what’s possible for their own futures.
We also rely on skilled volunteers for critical operational projects.
A great example is the global team of volunteers who designed and built The STEAM Generation’s website. Their work directly expanded our ability to connect with more families, educators, and donors, multiplying our impact far beyond the classroom.
How do volunteers help expand access to STEAM education in underserved communities?
Corporate volunteer partners are vital in ensuring students in low-income areas have access to high-quality STEAM education.
For instance, Shadow-Soft and other corporate groups sponsor and support our workshops at Title I schools, where the majority of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. These events offer hands-on projects, essential materials, and meaningful mentorship opportunities that students may not otherwise have access to. Through these partnerships, we’re able to break down barriers and bring STEAM directly to those who need it most.
What message would you give to current and future volunteers about their role in shaping the next generation of innovators?
To our current volunteers: You are the heartbeat of our mission. Your dedication, energy, and time make an enormous impact—thank you for everything you do.
To future volunteers: You don’t have to be a scientist or engineer to make a difference. All you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to lend a hand. Whether you join us virtually or in person in the metro Atlanta area, your support has the power to inspire and change lives.
Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation
As we celebrate Labor Day, The STEAM Generation extends heartfelt gratitude to every volunteer who has helped us deliver engaging, hands-on STEAM experiences to children across communities. Their efforts remind us that meaningful work isn’t only about what we do for ourselves; it’s also about what we build for the future.
If you’d like to be part of this mission, we welcome you to join our growing network of volunteers and help us empower the next generation of thinkers, creators, and innovators.
- Sep 24, 2024
As parents and educators, we are always seeking meaningful ways to introduce children to scientific concepts through fun, hands-on learning. One of the most engaging ways to teach children about the phases of the moon is by creating a simple model at home using materials you likely already have. In this article, we'll explore a bit about the moon and then dive into a hands-on project that will help your child understand and visualize the moon's phases.
About the Moon
The moon is Earth’s only natural satellite, and it plays a key role in life on our planet. It affects the ocean's tides, helps stabilize Earth’s climate, and has been a source of wonder for millennia. The moon does not produce its own light but instead reflects light from the sun, and as it orbits Earth, we see different portions of its lit side, creating the phases of the moon.
The Phases of the Moon
There are eight distinct **phases of the moon** as it orbits around the Earth:
New Moon: The moon is between Earth and the Sun, and we can't see the moon from Earth.
Waxing Crescent: A small, crescent-shaped sliver of the moon becomes visible.
First Quarter: We see half of the moon illuminated.
Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the moon is visible, but it's not yet full.
Full Moon: The entire face of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth.
Waning Gibbous: After the full moon, the illumination begins to decrease.
Last Quarter: Half of the moon is again visible, but the opposite half from the first quarter.
Waning Crescent: Only a small crescent is visible before the cycle repeats with a new moon.
Why Do These Phases Happen?
The phases occur because of the moon's position relative to Earth and the Sun. As the moon moves through its orbit, the amount of sunlight it reflects toward Earth changes. This gradual change causes the phases that we see from our perspective.
Hands-On Activity: Model the Phases of the Moon with Clay or Playdough
This activity is a fun, creative way for kids to **model the phases of the moon** and learn how the moon’s position relative to the Earth and Sun causes different phases.
Materials Needed:
- White clay or playdough (this will represent the illuminated part of the moon)
- Black or gray clay or playdough (this will represent the shadowed part of the moon)
- A flat surface or small board to display the phases
- A night sky view for real-world reference
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Observe the Night Sky
Before beginning the activity, encourage your child to observe the **moon in the night sky**. Is it a full moon? A crescent? This observation helps them understand the phases and gives a real-world connection to the project.
Step 2: Roll Out Your Clay
Take your white clay or playdough and roll out eight small balls, one for each moon phase. Do the same with your black or gray clay. These will represent the different phases of the moon.
Step 3: Model the New Moon
For the New Moon, use the black clay entirely. This phase is when the moon is completely in shadow and not visible from Earth.
Step 4: Create a Waxing Crescent
For the Waxing Crescent moon, mold a small crescent shape of white clay on one side of the black clay ball. This represents the sliver of the moon that is illuminated and visible from Earth.
Step 5: Model the First Quarter
For the First Quarter, mold half of the ball with white clay and the other half with black clay. This phase shows half of the moon’s surface illuminated.
Step 6: Waxing Gibbous
For the Waxing Gibbous, cover more than half of the ball with white clay, leaving only a small section of black. This shows that the moon is nearly full but not quite.
Step 7: Full Moon
For the Full Moon, cover the entire ball with white clay. This is the phase when the moon is fully illuminated from Earth’s perspective.
Step 8: Waning Phases
Next, reverse the process to create the Waning Gibbo, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent phases:
- Waning Gibbous: Leave a small portion of the ball black, showing the moon’s illumination beginning to decrease.
- Last Quarter: Half white, half black again, but on the opposite side compared to the first quarter.
- Waning Crescent: Only a small sliver of white, with most of the ball covered in black clay.
Step 9: Arrange the Phases
Once you've modeled all eight phases, arrange them in a circle on your flat surface or board to represent the moon’s orbit around the Earth.
Step 10: Discuss and Observe
As you finish, discuss with your child how the moon moves through these phases as it orbits Earth. You can also continue observing the moon each night to see the phases in real-time!
Why This Activity Is Important
This hands-on STEAM project not only reinforces the science of moon phases but also taps into your child’s creativity and problem-solving skills. By physically manipulating the clay, they are better able to understand the abstract concept of the moon's changing appearance over time.
Learning Outcomes:
- Scientific Understanding: Your child will learn about the moon’s phases and the Earth-moon-sun relationship.
- Art and Creativity: Using clay to model the phases fosters creativity.
- Fine Motor Skills: Shaping and molding the clay builds fine motor skills.
- Real-World Connection: Observing the moon in the night sky helps solidify the concept and makes the learning experience more meaningful.
Conclusion
Creating a phases of the moon model with clay is an exciting and interactive way to teach children about the moon’s orbit and its effect on how we see it from Earth. It combines science with art and offers a hands-on way for kids to explore and learn about the natural world. Plus, it opens up opportunities for real-time observation that extends the learning beyond the home. Try this activity with your kids tonight, and watch as they light up with excitement for space science!
Don’t forget to encourage your child to look at the moon during different phases over the coming weeks to observe the gradual change.
Discover Our Programs https://steamgeneration.org
Take the excitement of volcano-making to the next level with our hands-on STEAM activities. Nurture your child's potential, and who knows, the next great scientist or engineer might just be in your backyard!
