EGG CARTON EXCAVATION

Get ready for a super easy excavation tutorial that not only makes a nice little batch of excavations at once, but the mold acts as an easy carrying case to get your awesome little excavations to their destination. So next time you finish up a dozen eggs, save that egg carton and get ready to make an Egg Carton Excavation.

 

Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Styrofoam type egg cartons work great but so do paper fiber egg cartons. Don’t throw these carton out just because they are paper. While the plaster mixture is wet, these types of cartons hold up well and make perfect Egg Carton Excavations.

 

Materials:

Egg carton

Sand

Plaster of Paris

Water

Measuring cups

Mixing bowl

Wooden spoon

12 Excavation items – Anything that will fit in the egg shaped cavity will work. I love using tumbled gemstones.

Popsicle sticks – these will be the excavation tools

Safety goggles

 

Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Buy a batch of fossilized shark teeth online and make a dozen little excavations to entertain a group of young Excavating Adventurers. You can also excavate fossilized shark teeth that are millions of years old in one of our Mini Digs!

 

Directions:

  1. Place one of your excavation items in each of the egg shaped cavities in the carton.
  2. Mix 2 cups sand with 2/3 cups Plaster of Paris.
  3. Add 2/3 cups of water and mix thoroughly.
  4. Gently pour the mixture into the egg carton making sure not to knock the excavation items from their cavity.
  5. Place the egg carton excavation in front of a fan for 24 hours until completely dry.
  6. Once the excavation are dry, remove them from the egg carton and distribute them to your Excavating Adventurers to dig in and enjoy. Instruct participants to wear safety goggles and use the popsicle stick to dig away the excavation and discover the treasures inside.

 

Excavating Adventures Pro Tip: Make a batch of these excavations and use them as rewards in the classroom, or as a fun and inexpensive birthday party activity. These egg carton excavations are also fun around Easter time!

 

Speaking of Easter, be sure to check out or Easter Excavations. Each excavation is wrapped in pretty colored foil. These excavations can be hidden for a little extra fun and your Excavating Adventure will love finding the rubies, emeralds, topaz, garnet and other gemstones hidden inside.

 

 

Shimmer and Shine: Fun Facts about Tumbled Gemstones!

 

Fun Facts about Tumbled Gemstones:

  1. Tumbled gemstones are small, polished stones that have been shaped and smoothed through a process called tumbling.

  2. Tumbling gemstones involves placing rough stones in a machine called a tumbler, where they are rotated and polished with abrasive grit and water over a period of time.

  3. Tumbling helps to remove rough edges, scratches, and imperfections from gemstones, revealing their natural beauty and enhancing their luster.

  4. Tumbled gemstones come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, making them a fascinating and collectible item for many gemstone enthusiasts.

  5. The tumbling process can take several weeks or even months, as the stones go through multiple stages of polishing using finer and finer grits.

  6. Tumbled gemstones can be used in various ways, including in jewelry making, crafting, decoration, or simply as a beautiful addition to a collection.

  7. The tumbling process not only enhances the appearance of gemstones but also improves their durability and makes them more resistant to scratches.

  8. Tumbled gemstones are often used for meditation, healing practices, and as symbols of positive energy and spiritual connection.

  9. Tumbling gemstones is a fun and educational activity that allows you to explore the beauty and unique characteristics of different types of stones.

  10. Tumbled gemstones can be found in gemstone shops, online stores, or even created at home using a tumbler machine and the right materials.

  11. Each tumbled gemstone carries its own unique energy and properties, and many people believe they can have a positive influence on emotions and well-being.

  12. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant colors of a tumbled amethyst or the mesmerizing patterns of a tumbled agate, each gemstone has its own story waiting to be discovered.

So, let your imagination sparkle and dive into the world of tumbled gemstones, where beauty meets wonder!

 

Whether you are a classroom teacher, homeschooler, student, or someone just wanting to have a little fun, click here to get free rocks, fossils, seashells, and more!

 

 

Question 1: What is the process called that gives gemstones their smooth and polished appearance? A) Shimmering B) Tumbling C) Glittering D) Polishing

Correct answer: B) Tumbling

Question 2: Why do people enjoy collecting tumbled gemstones? A) They make great decorations for gardens. B) They have healing properties. C) They are used in scientific experiments. D) They are a source of energy for machines.

Correct answer: B) They have healing properties.

Question 3: Where can you find tumbled gemstones? A) In grocery stores B) In your backyard C) In gemstone shops or online stores D) At the beach

Correct answer: C) In gemstone shops or online stores

 

 

 

 

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