Lesson by Nicole White
Learning Intentions:
- To understand the science behind how lava lamps work.
- To write a set of instructions to make a lava lamp.
- To make a homemade lava lamp.
Step 1: Activity overview for parent, carers and pupils
In this activity there are three video clips to watch. (Approximately 10 minutes in total)
You will need to have internet access to watch how a lava lamp can be made at home.
The main activity can be completed offline – adult support will be required for this activity.
Resources
- Large clear plastic bottle
- Cooking oil
- Liquid food colouring
- Alka-seltzer tablets
- Optional glitter
Step 2: Introduction to the activity and additional information
Have you ever heard of or seen a lava lamp before? If not, check out the picture below:
Lava lamps were decorative lamps that people had in their homes during the 1960s. If you had one, you were seen as ‘groovy’!
Lava lamps were invented in 1963 by British entrepreneur Edward Craven Walker and they became popular due to the lava moving up and down the lamp and creating a calm atmosphere. Do you agree? Watch the video below to see a lamp in action.
How do lava lamps work?
Believe it or not, lava lamps are made using simple science. Watch this video to understand how a lava lamp works.
Step 3: Tasks to carry out for this activity
Activity 1: Watch the video below on how to make a lava lamp and write some notes.
Have a go at making your very own lava lamp, don’t forget to take pictures and videos.
Activity 2: Write a set of instructions for someone else to make a lava lamp.
Key features when writing an instruction text:
- Clear title, starting with ‘How to…’
- An opening paragraph to introduce what is being made and how you can use it
- Sub-headings
- A clear list of equipment/ ingredients (with measurements)
- Numbered and ordered steps for the method
- Imperative (bossy) verbs
- Second person
- Bullet points
- Adverbs
- Diagrams/ illustrations
- Closing statement which describes what the reader has made
Make sure you read through your instructions to make sure that they are clear.
Once you have completed the task you can email anything you create (photos, documents, screenshots etc.) directly to your teacher or directly upload it to any of the available places in Step 5.
Step 4: Look over the success criteria for this activity:
Success criteria #1: I can make my own lava lamp.
Success criteria #2: I can write a set of instructions for a homemade lava lamp.
Success criteria #3: I can understand how a lava lamp works.