As we have learned in science class, most of our transportation is powered by fossil fuels.  When fossil fuels are burned, harmful greenhouse gases and pollutants are placed in the air.  Fossil fuels are considered to be non-renewable sources of energy, because they come from the remains of living things more than 300 million years ago that can in no way be replenished at the rate at which we humans are using them!  Therefore, we designed experiments to determine how best to propel rockets using Alka-Seltzer + water as a model of an alternative and renewable source of energy.

Before designing our experiments, we made some observations of other chemical reactions to get a better sense of how to design our own experiments.

As with every controlled investigation, we only change one variable in order to observe the effect(s) of that one change. Think back: What was the ONE variable that your group decided to change to the Alka Seltzer + water chemical reaction?  What is another way to describe the ONE variable that a scientist changes in an experiment?  What is another way to describe what the scientist measures?

Each group only changed one variable in order to see the effect(s) of that one change.  Some groups changed the temperature of the water or the amount of water, while other groups changed the size of the Alka-Seltzer tablet.  The group above changed the temperature of the water, and predicted that the hotter water would dissolve the tablet faster.

As a scientific community, we shared our group's results. Through our first round of experimentation, we learned that increasing the temperature, increasing the amount/volume of water, and crushing the Alka-Seltzer tablet all decreased the amount of time it took for the Alka-Seltzer to dissolve (for the chemical reaction to occur).

Before designing our rockets, we took a break and visited the animals!  What was your favorite animal at the Environmental Study Center?

After experimenting to better understand how the size of Alka-Seltzer, temperature and volume/amount of water affect the speed of the chemical reaction, each group picked one variable (= independent variable) to change to their Alka-Seltzer powered rocket to get the rocket that can propel the highest.  Most groups changed the temperature or size of the Alka Seltzer.  Do you remember which group had the highest rocket propulsion?  Do you remember this group's independent variable?

Last but most certainly not least, we learned that there is no such thing as failure in science.  There is also no such thing as an "incorrect" hypothesis, because the whole point of testing a hypothesis is to learn something new (and learning something new is never wrong/right/correct/incorrect).  Instead, we say that our hypothesis was "not supported" and reflect on the process and possible limitations that occurred in the planning/design and execution of the experiment, and also evaluate and possibly re-think our original hypothesis!

Homework:  
Watch the two videos and read the two articles below in order to make a hypothesis for what ship design can carry the most crates.  These videos and articles will provide you with the scientific knowledge (scientific reasons!) to help you make a hypothesis, in addition to the qualitative and quantitative observations you made in class.  Then answer the questions below IN YOUR SCIENCE NOTEBOOK.

1.  Pick one quote from each article that helps you to predict what ship design can carry the most crates.  COPY THEM DOWN, along with the title of the article.
2.  SKETCH the ship design that you predict can carry the most crates.
Due: Monday, September 29, 2014

Articles: 
1.  Village Science: Snowshoes --> DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.  JUST READ THE ARTICLE!
2.  Buoyancy (below)

Videos:
1.  How do ships float?
2.  Mythbusters: Walking on Water

Aerospace: Designs and constructs planes and space shuttles.
Biomedical: Uses specialized engineering techniques in the medical field.
Civil: Designs and builds structures.
Chemical: Uses science to process raw materials and chemicals into useful forms.
Computer: Combines computer science and electrical engineering to design computer technology.
Electrical: Studies electricity and the design of electrical systems like circuits and computer chips.
Environmental: Applies various scientific ideas to help improve the environment.
Food: Studies and applies food technology involving the various disciplines of food science, agriculture, microbiology, chemistry and engineering.
Forensic: Investigates failed structures and materials.
Genetic: Manipulates an organism’s genes
Industrial: Finds ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes and devise efficient ways to use workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service
Mechanical: Deals with the application of mechanical power and mechanical systems, machines, and
tools.
Military/Defense: Designs and oversees construction of military structures and devices.
Nuclear: Applies physics in nuclear related technologies.
Reverse: Determines how systems and devices work often by taking them apart.
Software: Researches, designs and modifies in order to implement fast high quality software in a range of areas.
Structural: Designs and constructs buildings, large structures, and other things that rely on structural
integrity.

Assignment: Read the article, "Chobani: The Case of the Classic Cup" below to understand how the engineers at Chobani solved a number of design problems to create their yogurt cups.  Then answer the questions on Google Classroom.

Chobani: The Case of the Classic Cup
Before Chobani yogurt was launched in 2007, yogurt was often perceived in the United States as a functional or health food, rather than an enjoyable food that people could eat anytime. People often ate yogurt for its specific nutritional benefits or as a diet food. This was very different from how yogurt is consumed in other countries, where yogurt is actually eaten multiple times each day and used as a cooking ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes. One innovation that the Chobani engineer team developed to change this perception and draw attention to Chobani was a unique design for the Chobani yogurt cup.  

The Cup
           Traditionally, the dairy aisle in U.S. grocery stores was lined with yogurt cups that were tall and narrow. This had been the standard for years, but the team at Chobani decided it was time for innovation. They went to work to develop a different yogurt cup design, and after doing a great deal of research and trial-and-error, they created the cup that everyone recognizes today: a wider, shorter cup that is more spoon-friendly. The shape mimicks the type of bowl used to serve yogurt in other countries where yogurt is a staple food.
           Engineers at Chobani selected the material Polypropylene to make their cup. Although cheaper materials were available, this material was selected because it produced a crisp bright white color. The team at Chobani wanted their cups to stand out on the grocery shelves.  Another benefit of using Polypropylene was its structural integrity. It is sturdy enough so you can hold the cup in your hand while eating the yogurt, and it is also easy to stack for shipment.

The Label
          Another innovative feature that Chobani engineers developed as part of the cup packaging was the plastic labeling sleeve. Prior to the Chobani yogurt cup, graphics were printed directly onto yogurt cups. However, this direct printing technology resulted in dull colors and and low-quality graphics. Chobani engineers decided to use a new technique called Rotogravure to print the graphics onto plastic sleeves, which were then fitted over the yogurt cups. The Rotogravure technology enabled Chobani to incorporate professional quality photographs of fruits and other ingredients into their label designs. This printing technique was more expensive to implement, but the plastic sleeve with the bold graphics and sharp images on the bright white cup helped the product stand out on the shelves.

The Lid            
           Chobani engineers could have used many materials for the lid. After careful consideration, they selected a heavier, more durable foil that conveyed craftsmanship and high quality, as well as functionality. The foil’s heaviness prevents it from flapping back down while the consumer is enjoying the yogurt, and and enables the consumer to reseal the yogurt for later consumption.

Beyond the Classic Cup
         Chobani engineers continue to try to solve problems and improve the products using engineering design. It is important for the engineers at Chobani and companies around the world to continually assess and address the needs of their consumers by creating innovative products through the engineering design process.

Copyright © 2014 Discovery Education. All rights reserved.
Discovery Education is a Division of Discovery Communications, LLC.

Use the links below to research your team's great scientist!  Make sure to restate and answer the questions below.  You will be using this information to decorate your table and build team spirit!

Questions: 
1.  When did your scientist live? (birth to death)
2.  Where was your scientist from?  (Country)
3.  What field(s) of science did your scientist study? (ex: astronomy, biology, physics, etc.)
4.  What is your scientist known for?  What was his/her greatest discovery/accomplishment?
5.  Among the other scientists listed, who did your scientist collaborate/work with?  (this is your “buddy” scientist)
6.  Was your “buddy” scientist from the same country as your scientist?

Unit 0 Test Review Packet KEY and Jeopardy Game

Do your best to answer all questions without referring to notes.  Feel free to use scratch paper.  Don't forget to answer the "Final Question" at the bottom of the screen.

ACCESS THE UNIT 0 TEST REVIEW JEOPARDY HERE!

Congratulations on completing your outstanding controlled experiments!  To prove that you all have become masters of designing controlled experiments, and to celebrate the end of our scientific inquiry unit, you will be taking a test next week.

Complete the questions below to review for the Unit 0 test.  Refer to your science notes, shonscience.com, and the links provided for specific questions if you are in need of help.  You can submit your responses online (recommended for faster grading), or write the questions and responses in your science notebook.  You will have access to the correct answers (for studying purposes) soon after submitting your responses.  

Due: Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Review the attached presentation rubric to prepare for your controlled investigation presentation.  I have also shared the rubric with you on Google Drive.