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Download the pdf of a lesson on teaching the Scientific Method using our Instant Snow Polymer!
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Scientific Method with Snow Polymer
Immediately after hydrating the snow polymer have students touch the expanded material. It should be slightly warm to the touch as the reaction between the water and the polymer is slightly exothermic. If students touch a sample of snow that was previously expanded (10 minutes or more) they will find it cool to the touch. Question students as to why this might be, (the reason is that the water in the polymer is beginning to evaporate and it takes heat energy for this process to occur).
Have students brainstorm what variables might affect the evaporation rate of the water over a long period of time. Possible variables might be the size of the container it is left in, the shape of the container, the temperature of the room, the humidity of the room, etc.
Students should select ONE of these variables to test how the evaporation rate of the hydrated polymer is affected. All the other possible variables must be kept constant. A sample lab sheet is included for students.
Students should design an experiment based on the variable they select to examine. Each group should have 3 different values to test. For example, if they select the size of the container the snow is kept in, there should be three different containers. Students should be sure that the containers are all made from the same material, are kept in the same area, etc.
After the groups have properly planned their experiment they should begin the data collection stage. Give each group the same amount of expanded snow to use to test their hypothesis. Over the next two weeks have students measure each of their samples, using a balance each day and recording the mass on their data table. This should take very little time, so the remainder of the experiment can be completed for homework.
Upon writing a conclusion, students can be expected to report their findings to the class. This is a wonderful lab activity to give students a basic understanding of the steps involved in the scientific method.
SNOW POLYMER LAB
In this lab, you and your group will investigate an independent variable to see how it affects a dependent variable. The dependent variable for all groups will be the evaporation rate of the water in the snow polymer.
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Students can analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
Students can analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical process.
A solution needs to be tested, and then modified on the basis of the test results in order to improve it.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder as evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which the reaction occurs.
Students will observe and communicate scientific information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of a material.
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.
DCI/HS1.B HS-PS1-4 HS-PS1-5
Students can use Instant Snow Powder to feel the bonds during the endothermic and exothermic reactions.
Students can conduct simple tests using Instant Snow Powder to better understand the rate at which the polymers absorb or evaporate water. Information gathered can be used as evidence to support or refute student ideas about hydrophilic (water loving) materials.
Students will observe and communicate scientific information about why the substance is able to absorb so much water. Further study of the structure of the hydrophilic polymers will help students to understand that the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of a material.
*NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.
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