Plan
| Week 1 |
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Ice Cream Challenge - Students attempt to keep ice cream from melting using only their hands and breath, introducing the concept of thermal energy transfer (10 min)
Introduction to Thermal Energy Transfer - Watch a short video on insulating materials and discuss the principles of thermal energy transfer (15 min)
Brainstorming Session - Students brainstorm materials they believe can insulate and prevent ice cream from melting, documenting their initial ideas in a project journal (20 min)
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Research and Exploration - Students research different materials' insulating properties using library resources and the internet, focusing on materials like foam, fabric, and aluminum foil (20 min)
Material Testing Plan - Students develop a plan to test the effectiveness of selected materials in minimizing thermal energy transfer, drafting a hypothesis and outlining steps in their project journal (25 min)
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Material Collection and Preparation - Gather materials needed for constructing the insulated container, ensuring students understand how to safely and effectively handle them (15 min)
Design Sketching - Students sketch their initial design for an insulated container in their project journal, labeling materials and explaining their choices based on their research (15 min)
Peer Feedback - Share design sketches with a partner for feedback and suggestions to improve their design and material choices (15 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. A list of materials with insulating properties and their potential uses in the project
2. Initial design sketches and material justification for the insulated container |
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| Preparation |
1. Obtain materials such as foam, fabric, aluminum foil, and other insulating materials for students to use in their designs.
2. Prepare a video or presentation on thermal energy transfer and insulating materials. 3. Organize research resources, including books and internet access, for students to explore material properties. |
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| Week 2 |
Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Material Testing - Students conduct experiments to test the insulating effectiveness of various materials like foam, fabric, and aluminum foil, documenting their findings in their project journals (45 min)
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Design Prototyping - Students begin designing their insulated container prototypes using selected materials, sketching their designs and outlining the planned construction steps in their journals (20 min)
Prototype Construction - Students start constructing their insulated containers based on their designs, ensuring they follow the outlined steps (25 min)
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Testing and Refinement - Students test their constructed containers by placing ice cream inside and measuring melting time compared to outside conditions, making adjustments to their designs as needed (25 min)
Documentation and Preparation - Students finalize their project journals detailing their design process, material choices, test results, and prepare for the science fair presentation (20 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed and tested insulated container
2. Project journal with documented design process, test results, and modifications 3. Prepared presentation for the science fair |
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| Preparation |
1. Ensure access to testing materials such as thermometers, timers, and ice cream
2. Provide tools and resources for students to modify their designs, such as scissors, tape, and additional insulating materials 3. Create a checklist for students to use when preparing their science fair presentations 4. Set up space for students to conduct their final tests and practice their presentations |
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