Page 3 - brochure_improve_flip

Slinkys and ropes were utilized to illustrate various types of seismic
waves and their propagation, while different waveforms on the
spectrogram were displayed using a keyboard and a guitar.

The children also observed a cross-section of a volcano created using
a fish tank and various other materials designed to represent the
internal composition of a volcano. They were able to examine several
volcanic specimens, appreciating the density differences between
tuff and basalt samples and learning about the magnetism
associated with specific rocks. The rheology of magma was
explained using Oreo cookies, and volcanoes were created using an
old glass bottle, expanding foam, and paint. The eruption was instead
simulated using vinegar and baking soda. An experiment was set up
with water, ketchup, and honey in plastic cups, and air was blown into
them using a straw to demonstrate the different viscosities of various
fluids. A CO meter was also introduced to simulate the increasing
2
CO levels during an eruption. Finally, the children witnessed an
2
outdoor volcano eruption: a traffic cone was transformed into a real- Patricia Fehrentz
life volcano. Inside the cone, Pepsi and Mentos were mixed together “Marble syrup became volcanic magma at the open day in Carlingford.
to create a highly explosive eruption! Our goal was to bring a touch of volcanism to elementary school kids
who might be the next generation of geologists exploring Etna, Krafla,
The day attracted a total of 213 primary school students and or any other volcano. At the open day, there were a lot of interactive
members of the public. There were 182 students from two primary experiments and self-made models, that groups of 5 to 10 pupils could
schools, along with 22 teachers and assistants in attendance. The watch asking any questions coming to their minds. The highlight was a
feedback from the participants was extremely positive. The children volcanic eruption consisting of two ingredients: Menthos and Coca-
found the day to be a fun and educational experience, and the
Cola. Activities like this one help to communicate science to the public
teachers and staff appreciated the organization and management of and bring it out of the academic bubble. Moreover, it can be valuable to
the Volcano Open Day. Overall, it was a highly successful and address all children, so in the future, we might have a more diverse
beneficial public outreach event.
community in science!”

IMPROVE Network School on Mount Etna

The Etna IMPROVE school took place from July 24th to July The ultimate goal was to provide the students with as much
28th, 2023, in Nicolosi, on the flank of Mount Etna. It was held practical training as possible in “multiparametric volcano
at the INGV building, as well as in the nearby premises of the monitoring, data processing, analysis, and modeling”.
conference center of the Nicolosi municipality, which were
generously made available. The school was attended by a total The first day was dedicated to lessons and exercises on
of 30 students, consisting of the 15 IMPROVE ESRs and an volcano deformation, complemented by a demonstration of
additional 15 external students who were selected through an the EPOS portal (https://www.epos-eu.org/dataportal) for
open call from among nearly 40 applications received. accessing multi-parametric data from Earth observation
systems, including data from volcano observatories. The
The students were trained in the use of sophisticated software, second day was dedicated to volcano degassing, the fourth
representing the culmination of several years of research and day focused on volcano seismicity, and the fifth day involved
technological development at INGV and partner universities. a simulation exercise. During the exercise the different