Dr. Bobby Reece, assistant professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, recently taught the young children at the Preschool at St. Michael's Episcopal School about the different types of volcanoes, and the search for features on the seafloor using research vessels and bathymetry.

Each child used a flashlight to represent marine instrument packages and explore for volcanoes on their own bathymetry map.

"I was incredibly impressed with their scientific awareness, and their excitement through discovery was wonderful to be a part of," Reece said. "I was in awe of 4 year olds pointing out volcanoes on land versus in the ocean on a topography bathymetry map with no instruction. Children are brilliant natural explorers."

He also constructed a working cutaway volcano so the children could observe the various features and components in action. The children passed around real igneous rocks and made observations about differences between granite, basalt, and tephra. They learned the difference between lava and magma, and talked about the transition as the model volcano erupted. All of the kids agreed it was a good idea not to touch the 'hot lava!'

"They were so eager and wanted to see and know it all," Reece said. At the end of the last class and eruption, one kid leaned in and with a big smile asked, 'can we do it again'? "What can you say? Of course we did it again!"