This week, Year 4 furthered their knowledge about earthquakes and volcanoes by visiting the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.
We travelled by bus to the museum and once we got there, we took part in the Emergency Earthquake and Volcanoes Workshop!
We were first introduced to Tom (who for some reason thought that we were a group of scientists that he was expecting) and he introduced us to Volcano Town. The town experts were trying to debate if an earthquake or a volcanic eruption would happen there soon as there had been reports of unusual activity. We were told that we would be undertaking some emergency seismologist and volcanologist training to make sure we could help out if something was to happen.
Firstly, we were introduced to special equipment that measures the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates to predict if an earthquake or volcanic eruption will happen. Next, we saw a mock eruption, which used melted wax, to demonstrate what magma looks like as it erupts and becomes lava. It was very interesting how quickly it changed state from a liquid to a solid!
Lastly, we had to monitor the volcano after the seismometer detached some unusual activity, and we had to evacuate the townspeople. We managed to do it just in time as the volcano erupted shortly after, creating a very loud bang!
After lunch, we explored the Volcanoes and Earthquakes Gallery in small groups as we read lots of information about how earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have impacted our Earth over time. We even saw all the different types of rocks that are created from a volcanic eruption and the impact on people’s lives who live in communities near volcanoes. Our challenge whilst we were exploring the gallery was to collect 10 interesting facts that we could take back to school with us to share with other children.
It was then time to head back to school and reflect on all the interesting things we had seen and experienced during our day at the Natural History Museum!
Thank you to the parent volunteers who supported us on our trip and the SVPA for funding it!
Year 4, what was your favourite part of the trip?
