Dangerous Dust
Youth explore how well different materials resist or collect dust.
Guiding Question
Which materials are good at resisting dust?
TimingSetup
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.
- Post Testing Results chart and add a Dust column (Educator Guide p. 52).
- Set up the Materials Table.
- Set up testing stations (sand, gravel, glow powder, washers, aluminum trays, black light) (Educator Guide p. 56).
Listen Up!
A Message from the Duo
Related Videos
Youth Will Know
- Dust contamination can be a hazard for astronauts and equipment in space.
- Some materials prevent dust from sticking to them better than others.
Youth Will Do
Test and compare how dust-resistant different materials are.
Did you know?
Dust on the Moon is sharp, like tiny pieces of glass, because there is no water or wind to erode the particles. When wind and water move particles on Earth, they collide with each other and the sharp edges get knocked off.
Quick Tips
- If glow powder is not available, then non-borax laundry detergent can be substituted.
- View the Dangerous Dust video.