-
5th Grade
- Project
- 2 weeks
Elephant Toothpaste Chemistry Adventure: Experiment and Learn
Purpose
Dive into the fascinating world of chemical reactions by investigating the dynamic process of creating elephant toothpaste. Through hands-on experimentation, you'll explore how altering ingredients affects the reaction, gaining insights into the properties and interactions of substances. This project encourages you to think critically, collaborate with peers, and communicate your findings creatively, all while developing essential scientific investigation skills.
Learning goals
Through this project, you will investigate the chemical reaction process of elephant toothpaste, focusing on understanding the role of each ingredient. You will develop skills in planning and conducting scientific investigations, analyzing the effects of altering variables, and effectively communicating your findings. Additionally, you will enhance your ability to collaborate with peers, reflect on your learning journey, and creatively present your discoveries to an audience.
Standards
- NGSS - 5-PS1-4: Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
- NGSS - 3-5-ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
- Common Core - CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Products
Design an interactive display board that visually explains the chemical reaction process of elephant toothpaste, including diagrams and real-time experiment videos. Create a step-by-step guide or instructional video that explains the process of making elephant toothpaste, highlighting the changes you made to the ingredients and the effects on the reaction. Develop a creative presentation, such as a poster or video, that highlights your learning journey, including both successes and areas for growth.
Launch
Kick off your project with a 'Chemical Reaction Mystery Box Challenge.' Receive a box filled with mystery ingredients and work in groups to hypothesize the outcomes when mixed. Test your predictions in a hands-on experiment to spark curiosity and set the stage for your elephant toothpaste investigation.
Exhibition
Invite classmates, teachers, and family to a 'Chemistry Carnival' where you set up interactive stations to demonstrate your elephant toothpaste experiments. Engage your audience by explaining the science behind the reactions and showcasing your creative presentation. Encourage visitors to ask questions and participate in hands-on activities to deepen their understanding. Use this opportunity to share your step-by-step guide or instructional video, highlighting the changes you made to the ingredients and their effects. Celebrate your learning journey by reflecting on both your successes and areas for growth during the exhibition.
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Day 1: Begin with the 'Chemical Reaction Mystery Box Challenge.' In groups, open your mystery box of ingredients and make initial observations about each item. Hypothesize what might happen when they are mixed and record your predictions.
|
Day 2: Conduct the mystery ingredient experiment. Mix the ingredients as a group and observe the reaction. Document your observations, noting any surprises or confirmations of your hypotheses.
|
Day 3: Learn about the core components of elephant toothpaste. Research the properties of hydrogen peroxide, yeast, and dish soap. Discuss how each ingredient contributes to the reaction.
|
Day 4: Plan your own elephant toothpaste experiment. Decide on the variations you will test, such as changing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide or the amount of yeast. Create a detailed plan outlining your procedure and the variables you will control.
|
Day 5: Conduct a trial run of your planned experiment. Execute your procedure, take careful notes on the reaction, and evaluate any initial results. Begin drafting a step-by-step guide that outlines your experiment process.
|
| Deliverables |
1. A documented hypothesis and observation notes from the Mystery Box Challenge.
2. A research summary on the properties of the core ingredients in elephant toothpaste. 3. A detailed plan for your customized elephant toothpaste experiment, including a list of variables to be tested and controlled. |
||||
| Preparation | |||||
| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Day 1: Reflect on your trial run results with your group. Identify areas for improvement and revise your experimental procedure. Make necessary adjustments to your step-by-step guide.
|
Day 2: Conduct the revised elephant toothpaste experiment. Record detailed observations and compare them with your initial trial results. Discuss how the changes affected the reaction.
|
Day 3: Begin designing your interactive display board. Include diagrams, experiment photos, and real-time videos. Collaborate with peers to ensure clarity and creativity in your presentation.
|
Day 4: Develop a creative presentation, such as a poster or video, that captures your learning journey. Highlight both successes and challenges, and how they contributed to your understanding.
|
Day 5: Prepare for the 'Chemistry Carnival.' Set up your demonstration station, practice explaining the science behind your experiment, and finalize your step-by-step guide or instructional video for exhibition.
|
| Deliverables |
1. A revised step-by-step guide or instructional video detailing your elephant toothpaste experiment.
2. An interactive display board that visually explains the chemical reaction process, including diagrams and videos. 3. A creative presentation reflecting on your learning journey, showcasing successes and areas for growth. |
||||
| Preparation | |||||