STEM LAB B. Esquivel 6 Grade Science Vela Middle School Brownsville, TX
6.6b
Day 1: Background Knowledge
STEM: Egg Drop Design: “Don’t Scramble the Eggs!”
B. Esquivel
Research: 6.6b Physical Properties of Matter: Calculating Density
To get the density of an object you must divide the mass from the volume.
1. Calculate the mass volume and density of the object.
Mass=
Volume=
Density=20g/10ml= 2g/ml
Fresh water has a density of 1g/ml.
2. Objects with density less than 1g/ml will _____Float____ in the water.
3. Objects with density equal to 1g/ml will ______Suspend_____ in the water.
4. Objects with density greater than 1g/ml will ___Sink__ in the water.
5. What will happen to the object above if its volume was 20ml? 20g/20ml=1g/cm3
suspend
6. What would happen to the object above if its mass was 10g?10g/10ml=1g/ml suspend
7. If the density of the object was 1.01g/ml, and you increased the density of the water
from 1.0g/ml to 1.03 by adding salt, explain what would happen to the object?
8. Calculate the density of the egg:
STEM LAB B. Esquivel 6 Grade Science Vela Middle School Brownsville, TX
6.6b
Day 2:
I.
Problem: Identify a problem or need
A marine biologist team needs a small submergible device to suspend a sensor the size
of a paperclip just below the surface of the water. As an engineer you are being asked to
create a design that would be cost efficient and practical to build.
II.
Design Constraints
Design a device that is about the size of an egg, that can hold a
“micro sensor” (simulated by a paperclip), and drop 1 meter
into water without touching the bottom or floating to the top?
9. What will your team need to build the device?
(Plastic eggs, Styrofoam, small plastic bottles, film canisters…)
Materials needed: Paper clip, ___________, ___________,
__________, _________, _______________,___________
III.
Gather information
10. Measure the density of your materials.
Materials
Paperclip
Mass
g
Volume
ml
Density
g/ml
STEM LAB B. Esquivel 6 Grade Science Vela Middle School Brownsville, TX
6.6b
IV.
Develop a Designs
(Note: The density of the object you build should be equal to the density of the water.)
11. Draw two design samples that you might be able to construct with these materials
Sample one
V.
Sample two
Analyze the Solution
12. What would the volume of your sample devises be?
13. What would the mass of your sample devices be?
14. What would the density of your devices be?
VI.
Choose a Solution
15. Based on the data you gathered, what devise would you choose to build and why?
STEM LAB B. Esquivel 6 Grade Science Vela Middle School Brownsville, TX
6.6b
Day3: Build and Test
VII. Build a Prototype:
16. Construct your device with the help of your team.
VIII. Test the Prototype:
17. Test your prototype by dropping it into a large bowl of water from 1m high.
Trial #1
Trial #2
Design success (yes or no)
18. If the device is not successful the first time, your team can go back and modify the
design for a second trial.
18. Draw and label your final design.
IX.
Repeat
19. Conclusion: Explain why your design was successful or not, and what you could do to
improve if you could do it again.
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STEM LAB B. Esquivel 6 Grade Science Vela Middle School Brownsville, TX
6.6b