Design Challenge: How to Keep Gelatin from Melting?

This is a activity about applying the scientific method to a design challenge. Learners will design and build a platform that will be placed on a heat source. The platform is expected to serve as an insulator for a cube of gelatin. The goal is to keep the inside temperature of the gelatin cube as cool as possible. Materials cost will vary, depending on materials chosen by group (within budget set by the teacher). Ties are made to the Mercury MESSENGER mission. Note: the student guide starts on p. 17 of the PDF.

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Source

Montana State UniversityLast modified 2004

Audience

Education Level: Elementary school:Upper elementary:Grade 5, Middle school

Topics

Engineering and technology:Aircraft, probes, satellites and/or spacecraft Physical sciences:Heat and thermodynamics Physical sciences:Energy Physical sciences:States of matter The nature of technology:The design process

Resource Type

Activity, Instructor guide/manual, Informative text, Lesson or lesson plan, Project, Student guide

Learning Time

1 to 4 weeks

Materials Cost