Activity Timing
5 min. Duo Update
10 min. Set the Stage
20 min. Activity
10 min. Reflect
45 min. Total
Prep Reminder
Check the Educator Guide for detailed materials prep information. Here a couple of other key reminders:
- It will take about 30 minutes to prepare for this activity
- Post the EDP Poster
- Get the Duo Message ready
- Transcribe Testing Results
- Set up the Materials Table
- Cut two model hands (pp. 41, guide)
- Set aside 2 bags for demo
- Review Cold Test Procedure (pp. 40, guide)
- Set up testing stations (6 cups ice, 10 cups water, digital thermometers, cardboard hands, stop watches).
Key Terms
Insulator: A material that does not allow heat to move through it quickly
EDP Steps Used In This Activity
Ask
Purpose
Youth explore how well different materials insulate against cold.
Quick Tips
Group management strategies:
- Make bold labels for materials table
- Make bags of materials for each group rather than a materials table
- Rotate groups through stations
- Designate a volunteer to help other groups with testing and reset
- Use the cardboard model hand so that your warm-blooded hand does not affect the thermometer reading.
Duo Message Audio File
Play this file to introduce the activity to youth.
Videos Related to this Activity
Science Snippet: Build your content knowledge to help answer youth's questions.
End of Activity Engineering Reflection
Today we asked which materials are better at insulating against the cold. We tested and compared the results to answer our question.
Key Take Away
We can identify which materials to use in making a glove that protects against cold.
Did you know?
Outside the space station temperatures are 120C (250F) in the sun, and -155C (-250F) in the shade. Space suits have water circulating through to help with the extreme temperatures.