How Volcanoes Work: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Ignite curiosity and transform science lessons with 'How Volcanoes Work: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park'—an engaging educational kit designed to bring the explosive wonder of volcanoes into your classroom or homeschool setting. Dive into interactive learning with vibrant, printable worksheets, detailed topographic map exercises, and a hands-on volcanic model that makes complex science easy to visualize and understand. Perfect for middle school and high school students, foster a deeper understanding of Hawaiian volcanoes with learning prompts, vocabulary lists, and teacher tips. Make science memorable—order today and watch curiosity erupt!

Volcanoes are cracks in earths surface where molten rock (lava) and gases emerge. But, how do they work? In this activity, students will learn all about volcanoes and how they work as they investigate real-life examples at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. They will first read about how they work, vocabulary anatomy of volcanoes and then they will construct a 3D model of the Big Island of Hawaii using a topographic map and they will label the volcanoes and other vocabularly located there. There is also an optional quiz, to test for understanding.

First, students will read a 2-page passage about volcanoes, including types of volcanoes, effusive and explosive eruptions and vocabulary of the basic anatomy of a volcano (including words like conduit, magma chamber, dike, sill, pyroclastic flow, fumarole, etc.). Then, they will use what they read to label the anatomy of a volcano worksheet. 

DIFFERENTIATED OPTION: There are two options for the Anatomy of the Volcano included-one has arrows pointing to the locations and the other is blank. This allows for higher level thinkers to search for the specific locations on the picture.

Next, students will read about the five volcanoes located on the Big Island in Hawaii (Kohala, Mauna Koa, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, and Kilauea). Then, they will use the provided topographic map to create a 3D play dough model of the island. They will start by forming the entire island, then they will form each individual layer and stack them on top of each other (specific directions, including pictures, are included in this resource).

Students will use the provided directions and rubric to form their model and they will create 11 labels for their island model.

They will finish the activity portion by answering 10 analysis questions, which have them reflect on what they've learned (for example, "Based on what you've learned, explain how the Hawaiian islands formed-include 'hot spot' in your answer" and "Describe how pressure makes a volcano erupt."

Finally, students will take the provided 20 question quiz, which focuses on vocabulary and overall concepts that they learned through these activities.

There are teacher tips provided to show how this activity can be done individually, in small groups, or as a whole class, depending on how you want to conduct the activity.

I have also included recipes for homemade play dough, which I have found to be much easier and cost effective in the classroom.

This product includes:

1. Introduction and Materials Needed  

2. Teacher Prep Directions

3. Homemade Playdough Recipes

4. Teacher Procedure Directions

5. Model Directions (with Pictures)

6. 7-Page Student Packet: reading, volcano anatomy, Hawaii volcano descriptions, model directions and rubric, analysis questions 

7. Hawaii Volcanoes Topographic Map

8. Student Packet Answers

9. 20 Question Quiz

10. Quiz Answers

11. Teacher Tips

12. Websites and Citations

To do this activity, you will need:

• Pencil

• Copy of "How Volcanoes Work" packet for each student (INCLUDED)

• Copy of "Hawaii Volcanoes Topographic Map" for each group (INCLUDED)

• Copy of "How Volcanoes Work" Quiz for each student (INCLUDED)

• Play dough (can use homemade-see recipes!)

• Cardboard pieces (to use as base for volcano models-only need to fit a sheet of paper for each group)

• Rulers

• Materials to make model labels (toothpicks, tape, scrap paper, etc.)

• Wax Paper

• Optional: colored pencils (to color "Anatomy of a Volcano" drawings)

• Optional: Plastic spoons or knives (to help shape the play dough)

Also, check out my Youtube Channel for FREE informational videos about the national parks along with FREE video guides for your students!

Join my email list here to learn about ways to encourage students to experience the content!

Follow my store to be notified when new products are added!

You can also follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at edventureswithmrsd@gmail.com.

Thank you!