Lemon volcano

STREAM Activity: Lemon Volcano

Happy Asian, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Month!

Activity best for children ages four and up

This month we celebrate friends in our community who’s heritage come from many different Asian cultures including the Pacific Islands such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga, and Somoa. These islands surround something amazing called the Ring of Fire. This is a group of volcanoes that make up 75% of Earth’s active volcanoes. They help the local communities in many ways, such as creating good soil for their farms! Let’s celebrate our Asian, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander friends and family by creating our very own Lemon Volcano at home!

VOCABULARY

  • Island: A piece of land that has water all around it.

  • Volcano: A special mountain with a hole at the top called a crater that can let out hot, melted rock from deep inside the Earth.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

  • Would adding more baking soda cause more or less bubbles?

  • What other fruits do you think this experiment could work with?

MATERIALS

  • 1 Lemon

  • 1 Plate

  • Cutting Knife

  • Butter Knife

  • Spoon

  • Measuring Cup

  • Baking Soda

  • Food Coloring

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Place your lemon on your plate and have your grown-up cut the lemon in half. Stand your lemon halves facing up so you can see the inside of your lemon.

Cut lemon in half

STEP 2

Using your butter knife or spoon, break up the inside of your lemon. You do this by gently stirring your spoon around.

Break up lemon inside one side

STEP 3

Now, add a few drops of your food coloring to your lemon.

Add drops of food coloring

STEP 4

Pour about a tablespoon of baking soda on top of your lemon.

Add baking soda to lemon

STEP 5

Next, take your spoon and begin stirring the baking soda into your lemon, and watch your lemon volcano erupt and bubble!

Lemon volcano