中文
HOME
HOME / LATEST NEWS / Content

Pudong G4 Science Activity: I Am an Insulating Thermos Inventor!

December 8, 2022

Recently, our 4th graders have been learning about conducting and insulating materials. During the classes in week 15, they used the concepts learned in science class to embrace a STEM challenge: make a thermos for boiling hot water. Our 4th graders proved themselves to be quite the engineers!

Each class group was given 3 cups of different sizes, paper towels, aluminum foil, cotton, a laminating sheet, and packaging tape. Based on the knowledge acquired during class, students used the aluminum foil to reflect the heatwaves of the hot water back into the thermos. The cotton and paper towels were stuffed between the two nested cups. Students were also tasked to create a vacuum between two of the cups. This is exactly what we recently learned in our science class -- empty spaces are excellent insulators.

Aidan, Henry, Joanna, and Lia of Class 4(2) made the thermos that kept the water’s temperature the longest. Their group had a great lid design. Cut circles of laminating sheets were stacked evenly and flatly to create an airtight lid. They also tore the cotton and paper towels to create tiny pockets to capture any hot air escaping from the cup. Additionally, the “Gnome” group wrapped the thermos with paper towels and tape and added a latch. Most importantly, they used tape to suspend the smallest cup inside of the other two, creating an insulating vacuum.

The winning thermos’ temperature was 58.2°C after one hour. Andrew, Angela, Dora, and Kai of 4(2)’s thermos design scored a close second place with 57°C. All 12 groups demonstrated a good understanding of insulators and conductors to design functioning thermoses. Way to go, 4th graders!

(Written by Will Joines Picture by Zhang Lei Edited by Serene Yang, Niall Keenan)