Day 178 - 103 Creates an Air Conditioner - Mrs. Lynch - Francis Wyman Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mrs. Lynch's Blog

So, it is getting warm outside ...
.................................................and
........................................................inside!

Our answer to the problem; design our own ac with items we already have.

Materials:

• one large styrofoam cooler
• two elbow dryer vents
• one small but powerful fan
• many jugs of frozen water
• knife for cutting
• mini vacuum for clean-up

The plan:

1. line up the fan and dryer vents on the cover to see how they will all fit
2. trace the items carefully and closely on the lid
3. remove the items and prepare to cut
   *it is important to cut slowly and carefully
   *cut straight down
   *cut right into the inside of the traced line for the dryer vents
   *cut 1 to 2 cms into the circle of the traced outline for the fan -
   the fan doesn't fit into it but rather rests on top of the styrofoam lid
4. vacuum away the small particle of styrofoam
5. place your frozen bottles into the cooler
6. press the dryer vents into the holes
7. rest the fan facing down into the cooler
8. start your engine
9. 
   
   
10. 
    

Day 13 - Explorations in Light - Kim Lynch, Francis Wyman Fifth Grade

This post originally appeared on Mrs. Lynch's Blog

 

As the year begins, we start reviewing what we remember about light and color.  Students experimented with bubbles and light.  

They witnessed the frequency of the bubbles quicken causing rainbows to brighten.  The end result was finding out that violet has the highest frequency.  The bubbles were brightest at the end.  Then they would quickly turn black and pop.

As the children enjoyed their rainbow displays they were given the opportunity to talk in groups about what they were seeing prior to taking notes on their observations.  There was sharing of ideas and information as well as responsibility to the task.  One student even shared how the colors seemed to go through the spectrum in order of Roy G. Biv.  If you                                                       aren't sure who he is, be sure                                                   to ask your child.

Our second experiment was to use prisms to create rainbows.  As we were trying to make our rainbows, the children noted that the rainbow never traveled straight through the prism and out.  Rather the rainbow came out to the side. 

A great first day of experimentation was had by all.  The children took turns, listened to each other, answered their own questions and more.  

I can't wait to see what's next!