Bubbles: Science or Fun?
Paula Z. Jones Charles Brownell
6741 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago IL 60637
(312)535-3030
Objective:
This lesson is designed for an intermediate grade level.
After blowing bubbles, students will be able to test the effect of four
differently shape wands and three geometric figures in a bubble mixture.
Hypothesis:
Does a bubble always form a sphere?
Materials Needed:
Dawn dishwashing liquid, cups, water, yarn, scissors, pipecleaners, string,
straws, trays, and a large container.
BUBBLE MAKERS
INDIVIDUAL WANDS
Bend pipecleaners to form a circle, square, heart, and triangle.
RECTANGULAR FRAME
Materials: two standard drinking straws; a piece of cotton string 11/2m long.
Procedure: Feed the string through both straws and tie a knot.
TETRAHEDRON
Materials: Three standard drinking straws; three half-size straws; and nine
pipecleaners. Procedure: Twist two pipecleaners together to make a pipecleaner
that is somewhat longer than a standard drinking straw; repeat twice. Put three
long pipe cleaners together and twist them together at the top. Slip three
standard drinking straws onto the pipecleaners; bend the pipecleaners at the
bottom to form feet. Insert three standard pipecleaners through three half-size
straws. Make a triangle with them by twisting their corners together. Twist
base and top together at corners.
CUBE
Materials: Six standard drinking straws, each cut in half and twelve
pipecleaners. Procedure: Put three of the pipecleaners together and twist them
tightly at one end. Make four complete sets. Slip half-straws onto the
pipecleaner; bend the pipecleaner to form feet. Make each set look like the
capital letter T. Use two sets to form a square with two extended sides.
Repeat the procedure with the other two sets. Make one square bottom of the
cube by twisting up the extended straws; make the other square the top by
twisting the down the extended straws. Fit the top to the bottom, twisting all
corners.
Strategy:
Cooperative Learning
1. Each student receives 4 pipecleaners, a straw, and a cup.
2. Make a circle, square, heart, and triangle with a pipecleaner.
3. Cover the bottom of the cup with Dawn dishwashing liquid.
4. Fill the cup with a 1/2 cup of water.
5. Blow bubbles indoors and outdoors.
6. Record results on Bubbleology worksheet.
7. Form three groups.
8. Build a rectangular frame, tetrahedron, and a cube.
9. Record results on Bubbleology worksheet.
Bubbleology Worksheet
WAND PREDICT INSIDE OUTSIDE DRAW SHAPE COMMENTS
SHAPE SHAPE SHAPE SHAPE
| | | | |
CIRCLE | | | | |
| | | | |
SQUARE | | | | |
| | | | |
HEART | | | | |
| | | | |
TRIANGLE | | | | |
| | | | |
STRAW | | | | |
| | | | |
PIPE | | | | |
CLEANER | | | | |
| | | | |
RECTANGULAR | | | | |
FORM | | | | |
| | | | |
TETRAHEDRON | | | | |
| | | | |
CUBE | | | | |
| | | | |
Performance Assessment:
Students are evaluated by completing the bubbleology worksheet. This assignment
is graded as a pass or fail lab in class assignment.
Conclusion:
Regardless of the shape of the wand, bubbles always form spheres.
Reference:
Science and Children, May 1986
Science Scope, October 1988
AIMS Education Foundation, 1988
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