Chilling Out

The Educator Guide has a script, materials list, and prep directions. Be sure to have it open and ready to help guide you through every activity. It will take about 30 minutes to prepare for this activity. 

• Post the EDP Poster. 
• Get the Message from the Duo ready. 
• Transcribe Testing Results. 
• Set up the Materials Table. 
• Cut two model hands (Educator Guide p. 41). 
• Set aside 2 bags for demo. 
• Review Cold Test Procedure (Educator Guide p. 40). 
• Set up testing stations (6 cups ice, 10 cups water, digital thermometers, cardboard hands, stop watches). 

Which materials are good at protecting against cold?

• Test and compare different materials to see which ones work best to protect against cold temperatures. 

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.

• 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. 

Insulator: a material that does not allow heat to move through it quickly