If you want your sandcastle to be 5 by 5 feet (1.5 by 1.5 m), then outline a 5 by 5-foot area. Use a stick or shovel to mark the outside perimeters. Use large buckets, shovels, and garden spades to pile the sand over the entire area. For the best results, use sand that is located below the tide line. This sand is typically wet and compact. Alternatively, mix one part sand with one part water in a bucket. Use this sand to create your base. Use a stick to poke a grid of holes into the base of sand. Slowly pour buckets of water over the entire base. Let the water drain all the way through the sand.  Pour one bucket of water for every 1 foot (0.30 m) of sand. If the sand still feels too loose or dry, then add more water. Press on the sand with your hands to pack it down. You can also use your feet to pack the sand down. Pack the sand down until it feels like a solid block beneath you. You can also roll a large bucket over the sand to pack it down. Use your shovels and buckets to pile more sand onto the base. Poke holes into the sand with a stick. Pour water into the sand and pack it down with your hands and feet. Keep adding sand and water until you have a solid base of sand that is at least 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) high.
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One-sentence summary -- Outline an area as big as you want your sandcastle to be. Pile 6 inches (15 cm) of sand evenly over the entire area. Pour water into the sand to make it compact. Use your hands and feet to pack the sand down. Add another 6 inches (15 cm) of sand.


Click on My Assignments from the menu on the top of the screen. You will be taken to a page that lists all your assignments. You may opt to view all your assignments, or just those that were approved, rejected/cancelled, or pending. Assignments you’ve chosen from part 3 that haven’t been approved or rejected are marked Pending.  Once these have been reviewed and approved, they will be set to Approved under the status column. Those that were rejected or cancelled for some reason will have their status set to Rejected/Cancelled. From this page, you can still make some changes to your assignments. You can reschedule or cancel them. However, be careful and limit your changes to those really necessary ones. GAPbuster tracks your changes and reasons here.
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One-sentence summary -- Review your assignments. Know your assignments. Make changes to your assignments.


This is especially important if your hair has been under the thread for more than a few weeks. First, comb out your hair thoroughly, as it may have become knotted during the unbraiding process. Then, wash, condition, and dry your hair as normal.
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One-sentence summary -- Wash your undone hair.


Since you'll be burning metals, the thermite fire can burn through a lot of substances, including thick metals. Ceramics, such as clay ware, can hold the fire without melting. Clay flower pots are a great option. Look online for ceramics labeled as having a high heat point. Remember, thermite burns at 2,200 °C (3,990 °F). In addition to being extremely hot, thermite emits UV radiation that can damage your eyes if not dealt with properly. A welding mask provides the best protection because it's designed for use with burning metals, such as thermite.  Do not look into the flame directly, use welder's glasses. Looking at the flame directly could cause permanent eye damage. If you don't have a welding mask, you can wear a pair of dark sunglasses with full UV protection. However, the thermite can still damage your eyes if you look at it directly. Wear a pair of sturdy, heatproof gloves, and cover your body with a fireproof apron. As a precaution, wear thick sleeves and pants to cover your exposed skin. Also, wear a pair of close-toed shoes. Thermite is very dangerous, so protective gear is essential.
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One-sentence summary --
Use ceramic containers rather than metals to minimize fire risk. Wear a welding mask for complete protection. Apply your safety gear, including gloves and a fireproof apron.