Bubbleology Mickey Mouse Style
Paula Z. Jones Black Magnet
9101 S Euclid
Chicago IL 60637
(312) 535-6390
Objective:
This two day lesson is designed for an intermediate grade level.
After blowing bubbles, students will be able to test the effect of four
different shape wands and three geometric figures in a bubble mixture. Students
will construct water and soap molecules.
Hypothesis:
Does a bubble always form a sphere?
Materials Needed:
Dawn dishwashing liquid, cups, water, yarn, scissors, construction paper, glue,
pipecleaners, string, straws, trays, and a large container.
BUBBLE MAKERS
INDIVIDUAL WANDS
Bend pipecleaner 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 pipe
cleaners. Procedure: Put three of the pipecleaners together and twist them
tightly at one end. Make four complete sets. Slip half-straws onto the pipe
cleaner; bend the pipe cleaner 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 pipe cleaners, 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 | | | | |
| | | | |
Day two
1.Draw and cut out a water molecule that looks like Mickey Mouse.
2. Paste the water molecule on construction paper.
(continued on next page)
3. Draw and cut out a simple soap molecule. (Don't forget to draw circles
around the molecules.)
4. Paste the soap molecule on construction paper.
5. Discuss the simularities and differences between water and soap molecules.
Performance Assessment:
Students are evaluated by completing the bubbleology worksheet and constructing
water and soap molecules . 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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