Building a model volcano - St Charles College

Building a model volcano. The Science and Engineering Club at St Charles College, Pietermaritzburg, was abuzz with activity as members embarked on their latest project: building a model volcano. In the laboratory, they conducted experiments to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. They explored two catalysts – yeast and potassium iodide – to determine their effectiveness.

The team performed two experiments with yeast at different temperatures to observe how high temperatures can denature the catalyst. They also experimented with two different concentrations of potassium iodide to gauge its effectiveness. These experiments guided the club members in selecting the optimal catalyst and conditions for their final volcano design. – Mrs Claire Beckedahl