Learning Goals
Learning Goals:
- Students will collect data to characterize a chemical reaction.
- Students will identify the criteria and constraints of an engineering challenge.
- Students will design and build a hot pack that meets the criteria of the project.
- Students will collect data to support their proposed design.
Materials List
Handouts
Group Supplies (3-4 per group)
Inquiry into Calcium Chloride Reactions
- 4 Clear cups or small plastic beakers
- 1 Thermometer
- 1 Timer
- 40g CaCl2 (Driveway Heat, Damp Rid, or from a scientific supply company)
- 20g NaHCO3 (baking soda)
- 6g Sodium Polyacrylate crystals (Miracle Gro water storing crystals or other science edutainment packaging)
Engineering a Hot Pack
- 4 Clear cups or 100mL beakers
- 1 Thermometer
- 1 Timer
- 5+ snack size Ziploc bags
- 100+g CaCl2
- 100+g NaHCO3 (baking soda)
- 10+g Sodium polyacrylate crystals
Important Links
Next Generation Science Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
| Performance Expectation | How is this Assessed? |
| MS-PS1-6: Undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical processes. | Students, design, construct, test, evaluate, and redesign a hand warmer device to meet criteria and constraints. |
| MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. | Gain sufficient background knowledge to define the criteria and constraints of the problem. Present mathematical evidence that the proposed device will generate thermal energy in the required range. |
| MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. | Systematically compare results for different iterations of the hand warmer to select the design features that best meet the criteria. |
| MS-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. | Complete two full iterations of the engineering design cycle to create chemical hand warmers, comparing the costs and benefits of each in regard to meeting the criteria for success. |
| MS-ETS1-4 Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. | Design a testing procedure for a chemical hand warmer to produce data that can be used to evaluate the device’s effectiveness. |