Elephant’s Toothpaste

Advent's Fourth Grade archaeologists are learning about different means of preservation. From the mysteries of mummification to the captivating embrace of amber, tar, and ice, our exploration led us to the ancient marvel of Pompeii in the heart of Italy.

The students recreated an ancient map of Pompeii using recyclable materials, then conducted an exothermic "elephant's toothpaste" activity for Mt. Vesuvius' eruption.

The students were amazed not only by the experiment but also by the natural phenomenon of Pompeii itself. They wondered, "Was the entire body preserved, or just the bone?" and "What would happen if you cracked open the rocks of people?" "Did anyone escape?"

To answer these questions, we watched a video where scientists did an MRI scan of the mummified Pompeii citizens to see what was inside and then did a digital recreation of what that person would have looked like.

The blend of hands-on activities and scientific exploration has made their visit to ancient Italy a memorable experience!