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Lesson Title: NASA's Student Glovebox -- Droplet Investigation of Liquids
Grade Levels: 5-8
Connection To Curriculum:
Technology
Teacher Prep Time: 1 hour
Lesson Time Needed: 4-8 hours
Complexity: Moderate
Keywords: fluids, viscosity, design process
Materials:
For the chamber:
Empty copier paper box with lid
Glovebox artwork
Masking tape
Utility knife
Metal edge ruler
2 pieces of 11- by 17-inch construction paper
Heavy cardboard cutting surface
Clear contact paper
For the lid
Copier paper box lid
Clear 2-inch packing tape
Ruler
Duct tape
Utility Knife
2 overhead transparency sheets
For the gloves
4 plastic cups (32 ounce)
Thick rubber bands (size #64 or wider)
Dish washing gloves (long)
Disposable surgical gloves
Utility knife
Liquid drop materials list
Assorted fibers (waxed dental floss, unwaxed dental floss, jewelry wire, nylon fishing line, thread and string)
Small containers to hold liquids (such as beakers, paper cups, film canisters or yogurt containers)
Materials to build experiment apparatus (margarine tubs)
Different liquids (cooking oil, water, rubbing alcohol and corn syrup)
Velcro
Push pins and binder clips
Plastic beads (small and very small)
Eye droppers, pipettes or needleless syringes (2 milliliters or less)
Styrofoam meat trays or plates to catch spills
Resealable bags (to store team materials)
NASA student glovebox
DIL data table worksheets (3 per student)
Instant or digital camera (optional)
Empty copier paper box with lid
Glovebox artwork
Masking tape
Utility knife
Metal edge ruler
2 pieces of 11- by 17-inch construction paper
Heavy cardboard cutting surface
Clear contact paper
For the lid
Copier paper box lid
Clear 2-inch packing tape
Ruler
Duct tape
Utility Knife
2 overhead transparency sheets
For the gloves
4 plastic cups (32 ounce)
Thick rubber bands (size #64 or wider)
Dish washing gloves (long)
Disposable surgical gloves
Utility knife
Liquid drop materials list
Assorted fibers (waxed dental floss, unwaxed dental floss, jewelry wire, nylon fishing line, thread and string)
Small containers to hold liquids (such as beakers, paper cups, film canisters or yogurt containers)
Materials to build experiment apparatus (margarine tubs)
Different liquids (cooking oil, water, rubbing alcohol and corn syrup)
Velcro
Push pins and binder clips
Plastic beads (small and very small)
Eye droppers, pipettes or needleless syringes (2 milliliters or less)
Styrofoam meat trays or plates to catch spills
Resealable bags (to store team materials)
NASA student glovebox
DIL data table worksheets (3 per student)
Instant or digital camera (optional)
Description
Inquiry-based technology lesson to construct a sealed container with built-in gloves and to explore the properties of liquids.
Objectives
Students will:
• Design their own experiment and hardware to use in their team's glovebox.
• Experiment with various fibers and liquids to determine which fiber and which liquid will produce the most spherical droplet.
• Investigate the best way to mount the fiber.
• Write instructions to conduct the activity.
• Present their conclusions at a science conference.
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Lesson Guide NASA's Student Glovebox Lesson [116KB PDF file] |
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Lesson Activities and Sequence
Student Glovebox
Students will build a glovebox then design their own DIL experiment and experiment hardware that can be used in their team's glovebox. To conduct this activity, students will need to experiment with various fibers and liquids to determine which fiber and which liquid will produce the most spherical droplet.
Keywords: fluids, viscosity, design process
National Standards:
National Science Education Standards, NSTA
Science as Inquiry
• Understanding of scientific concepts.
• An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science.
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
• The dispositions to use the skills, abilities and attitudes associated with science.
Science in Technology
• Abilities of technological design.
ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Students, ISTE
Creativity and Innovation
• Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products or processes.
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
Research and Information Fluency
• Plan strategies to guide inquiry.
• Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
• Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
• Process data and report results.
Technology Operations and Concepts
• Understand and use technology systems.
• Select and use applications effectively and productively.
Science as Inquiry
• Understanding of scientific concepts.
• An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science.
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
• The dispositions to use the skills, abilities and attitudes associated with science.
Science in Technology
• Abilities of technological design.
ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Students, ISTE
Creativity and Innovation
• Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products or processes.
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
Research and Information Fluency
• Plan strategies to guide inquiry.
• Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
• Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
• Process data and report results.
Technology Operations and Concepts
• Understand and use technology systems.
• Select and use applications effectively and productively.