Video Field Trip to a Glassmaking Studio

Some people think that glass was discovered between 5 to 10,000 years ago when ancient beachcombers uncovered fulgurite, a form of petrified sand formed by lightning striking a beach. How else would someone have figured that by mixing silica sand, soda and lime and then heating to a temperature of 2,000-degrees you could make something to put flowers in or make a snow-dome out of? Ken Sonkin, host of this fun and friendly little video, takes viewers on a video field trip of a glass making and glass blowing studio. We learn about the operation of the glass furnace. We see fish goblets and gold leaf covered glass eggs being made. We hear from various glass blowing professionals and learn the reasons why they got into glass craftsmanship. Elementary school students ask questions like "What would happen if I put my arm into the blast furnace?" The answer: "It would turn black, and hurt." Designed to take the place of an actual field trip, this is fun and recommended. Other titles in the series include: Video Field Trip to the Zoo and Video Field Trip to the Recyclery. (R. Ray)