Volcanoes form when hot molten rock (magma) under the ground erupts at the surface, but what causes the molten rock to erupt? Eruptions are often driven by gases escaping…
In this experiment you can start a chemical reaction that creates a gas, and see how the gas escaping drives an eruption.
This experiment and video was devised by the Volcano Seismology group in the Earth Science Department, University of Cambridge.
There are many different types of volcanoes. Shield volcanoes have a broad rounded shape and gentle splattery eruptions often described as fire fountains. Strato volcanoes are sharp and steep sided and have violent explosive eruptions. But what makes these two types of volcano look and erupt so differently? It is mainly controlled by how think (viscous) or runny the magma in the volcano is...
In this experiment you can use 3 different thickness (viscosity) liquids to see what differences runny or thick magma can cause in volcanoes.
It is really unusual for a palaeontologist (scientist who study fossils) to find a complete skeleton with all the bones in the right place. We are more likely to find only a few bones or a jumbled up skeleton.
Putting a skeleton back to together when you know what the animal looks like can be a challenge, but imagine how hard that becomes when there are no more of those creatures alive for you look at. It is a bit like trying to put a jigsaw puzzle together when you don’t have the photo on the box as a guide.
Gravel Hunters is an educational resource that aims to encourage budding explorers of all ages to discover fossils for themselves on their doorsteps. From gardens to car parks and driveways, fossils can be unearthed in flint gravel from all sorts of environments - all you need to do is collect them.
This resource gives examples of some of the most common fossils found in flint gravel.
Artist Kaitlin Ferguson shows you how to make your own ichthyosaur using a fossil from the Sedgwick Museum’s collection as inspiration.
There are two different makes that you can try depending on how much time you have.
Make one: Ichthyosaur template
Make two: salt, flour and water to make salt dough (or plasticine or playdough)
Just beneath the waves in shallow tropical seas you'll find a world teeming with life. It's here that we find coral reefs - colourful habitats where countless creatures live.
Unfortunately like many habitats, coral reefs are struggling with the changing climates and environments we see today. These changes lead to 'coral bleaching'.
What is 'coral bleaching'?
Animals have evolved over millions of years to live within the environment that they find themselves in. When that environment changes too quickly, they find it difficult to adapt in time to surive.
Find a new use for used plastic bottles, scrap paper and paperclips.
Watch this film to find out how to create a sculpture of an animal using materials from inside your home.
In this activity you can see busts of Julius Caesar, Claudius, Nero and Hadrian from the museum. Find out more about each one, how they are connected to the history of Britain, and complete the activities to learn more!
At the end you will find instructions on how to create your own comic about the life of emperor Claudius!
Dragons do not only populate the myths and legends of the past, but also the world around us.
Zoology PhD student Tom Jameson takes us on a journey of discovery with the world's largest reptiles.
Learn how Komodo dragons play an important role in regulating and managing the ecosystems in which they occur, and how without them the whole ecosystem is at risk: HERE BE DRAGONS!
At the Whipple Museum we are very proud of our collection of maths equipment, including this cheerful “little professor” calculator. Colour him in and see what other mathematical equipment you can find around you!
We'd love to see your finished results - share your photos with us on twitter @WhippleMuseum or by emailing whipplelearning@gmail.com.
