Volcano Expedition project based learning activity for students in grades 4-6

Objective: To explore the natural wonders of an active volcano, understand its significance, and learn about a volcanic ecosystem, geology, and environmental conservation. 

Student Inquiry: Students will research geography, geology, ecosystems, and habitats, and make journal entries. They will apply their learning to a final project which explains the ecosystem and natural formation of a volcano, the potential effects of an eruption, and staying safe. 

Motivating question: How can we explore and understand the fascinating world of volcanoes and their impact on the environment? 

Project Activity pages:

• Volcano expedition – information page
• Mind mapping – students brainstorm what they know about volcanoes
• Famous volcanoes – geography exercise to understand volcano ecosystems
• World map – geography activity for students to locate volcanoes
• Ring of Fire – map
• Going exploring – my destination facts – students choose the volcano they will explore
• What I want to see – students describe what they hope to see
• Exploration – informational page with activities and nature sites to help students
• Wildlife Discovery – students identify which animals they might see
• Students research the weather at their destination and choose what to pack
• Supplies - students respond to questions about their choice of supplies
• Plan your trip – students complete a calendar of activities for their 3 day trip
• Expedition journal – 4 short writing prompts about problems students might face.
• Volcano Instagram – students draw and comment on 3 Instagram posts
• Gem discovery – students imagine they’ve discovered a new gem
• Protect the Environment – leave no trace questions
• Anatomy of a volcano – students complete the drawing of the parts of a volcano
• Final project – students choose one of three projects to complete
• Reflection – students review their project and make suggestions
• Hands-on activities – making a baking soda and vinegar volcano and ice cream lava melt 

Student decision-making: choose which volcano, the 3-day itinerary, what to pack, and the final product/presentation. 

Feedback/revisions: Students will offer suggestions on the project, what went well, what was difficult, what was most interesting, and what else they still want to learn. 

Students will have an opportunity for self-guided inquiry to research anything else about volcanos they didn’t learn in the first round. 

Published product: Students will have the choice to produce a tourist brochure, design a tour, or write a travel journal.

How to use:

Any or all of the pages in the pdf file can be printed and used for students across a wide range of ages/skills, or collaboratively with kids of different ages. Hands on extension activities include making a baking soda and vinegar volcano and a lava over ice (cream). 

Depending on your student’s needs, there are several pages of scaffolding information, including vocabulary, facts, reading list, weblinks. Learning outcomes: This is a PBL project designed to integrate mapping, writing, budgeting, math, geography, geology, and ecology.

There are 19 activities which can be printed and organized into a binder or stapled together. Students can use the internet, textbooks, maps, and their peers as resources to complete the project. Each student will complete a unique project which they can present so that others can learn from their discoveries. 

Tip: colored pencils work well! 

Total Pages: 37 pages

Answer Key: N/A

Project Duration: approximately 2 Weeks