Sixth graders in Zachary Leong's science class made DIY lava lamps as part of their exploration of temperature, heat and the layers of the Earth. As he explained, lava lamps can be used to demonstrate how density works and how magma flows in Earth's mantle. Utilizing household materials, including water, vegetable oil, salt, food coloring, and Alka-Seltzer tablets, students worked in groups to make a salt magma, followed by an Alka-Seltzer magma. They observed the reaction that occurred as they added ingredients, and discussed how what they saw connected to the lessons they've learned in class. To end, they combined each group's Alka-Seltzer magma into one beaker – watching as the colorful mixture bubbled when additional Alka-Seltzer tablets were added and began to dissolve.