Subject
Objective
Description/What to do in the classroom
Things to consider/science behind it
Number of TryScience.org features used
Titles of TryScience.org features
Materials Used
Results of student feedback and teacher assessment of activity
Attachments

Subject
Science - A Sport for an Extreme Environment

Objective
1. The students will use the Internet to investigate the properties of different gases, including their densities and atomic masses.
2. Students will apply their knowledge of the properties of gases to hypothesize the proportion of different gas mixtures required to "float" a balloon in space.
3. Students will test their hypotheses by inflating a mylar balloon (with an internal rubber ring) with different mixtures of helium and carbon dioxide gases, and time how long their balloon hovers before touching the ground.
4. Students will investigate the properties of flight of their "micro gravity frisbees" as they toss it through the air.

Science Standards: (List as applicable)
A. National Science Education Standard 1 (Analysis, Inquiry, and Design):
  1. S1.2a - independently formulate a hypothesis
  2. S2.1 - make observations and refine explanations
  3. S2.1b - conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis
  4. S2.1c - design and conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis
  5. S2.2b - design a scientific investigation/controlled experiment
  6. S2.2c - design a simple controlled experiment
  7. S3.2 - interpret data to answer the research question
  8. S3.2b - identify sources of error
  9. S3.2c - evaluate the original hypothesis
B. National Science Education Standard 4: The Physical Setting
  1. 1.1d - gravity is the force planets in orbit around the Sun
  2. 3.1a - substances have characteristic properties
  3. 3.1h - density is the amount of matter in a given amount of space
  4. 3.2b - mixtures are physical combinations of materials
  5. 5.1a - the motion of an object is judged with respect to another object
  6. 5.1c - an object's motion is the result of all forces acting on it
  7. 5.2a - every object exerts a gravitational force on every other object
  8. 5.2d - friction is a force that opposes motion

Description/What to do in the classroom
1. Students will investigate the properties of helium and carbon dioxide using the Internet. 
> 2. Students will use the TryScience Web site to facilitate understanding of gas properties, and to develop student inquiry.
3. Students will develop a hypothesis for the correct proportion of gases mixed to "float" a mylar balloon in space.
4. Students will test their hypotheses filling their balloon with different mixtures of the two gases until they get their balloon to hover in mid air. 
> 5. Students will be CHALLENGED using stop watches to get their balloon to hover for the longest time before hitting the ground.
6. Students will investigate how spinning or tossing their balloon (like a frisbee) affects its flight dynamics, including hover time.

Things to consider/science behind it
1. What is meant by the term "micro gravity?"
> 2. How do astronauts float in space?
3. Can micro gravity conditions be simulated here on Earth? How? Where?
4. Why do astronauts train underwater for future space missions?
5. Why do balloons filled with helium rise, while those filled with carbon dioxide sink?
> 6. What is air friction?
7. How does friction slow down objects?
8. What is "Bernoulli's Principle?"
9. How do planes fly?
10.What does the Bernoulli Principle have to do with my hovering balloon?
11.What are some other things that can hover? How? 
12.How does spinning the balloon affect its flight? Hovering time?
13.How does tossing the balloon (like a frisbee) affect flight time? Why?
14.What is the force that causes the balloon to eventually fall to the floor? 
15.What does air friction have to do with flight time?

Curriculum topics
1. Scientific Inquiry
2. Scientific method
3. Formulating a hypothesis
4. Conducting an experiment
5. Making observations
6. Interpreting data
7. Identifying sources of error
8. Evaluating the original hypothesis
9. Gravity and micro gravity
10.Forces and motion
11.Properties of gases
12.Density
> 13.Mixtures
14.Friction
15.Bernoulli's Principle
16.Principles of flight/aerodynamics

Integration of TryScience.org features
Extreme Challenge (Rock Climbing):
1. Friction Training - explore how friction slows down moving objects.
2. Oxygen & Altitude Training - discover how the higher you climb, the less atmospheric pressure there is and the thinner the air becomes.
> Extreme Challenge (Snowboarding): 
> 1. Center of Gravity Training - adjust the center of gravity of the acrobat to see how her body compensates to maintain balance.
2. Air Resistance Training - change the air resistance of the snowboarder to observe its effect on increasing or decreasing "drag." 
> Extreme Challenge (Mogul Competition) 
> 1. Center of Gravity Training - keep your balance on the mogul course.
2. Air Resistance Training - increase your speed on the slalom course.

Adventure: Discover Extremes at Starfleet Academy - compete with cadets world-wide to make scientific discoveries.

Experiments: 
1. Hit The Spot - test how the angle of a racket affects ball trajectory. Allow students to explore the angle at which they toss & release their balloon, and how it affects flight and hovering capabilities. 
> 2. Wingin It - learn about the Bernoulli effect by making an airfoil. Students will investigate how the Bernoulli Principle applies to their spinning and floating balloon, allowing it to stay hovering in mid air.
> 3. Gravity In Action - explore the effects of gravity on a falling parachute. Students will apply what they learn to explain how a balloon filled with gases of differing proportions can "defy gravity."
4. Let It Roll - make a "ball bearing" to reduce friction between two moving parts. Students will investigate the effect of air friction on a spinning balloon causing it to gradually stop spinning.
5. Nosedive - make paper jets and explore the principles of lift and drag as they pertain to flight. Students will apply what they have learned to the gas proportions and flight dynamics of their hover balloon.
6. Stadium Seat Science - discover how differences in pressure can be put to work. Students will investigate air pressure differences over the top and bottom surfaces of their balloon to explain hovering capability.
7. How Do Probes Get To Outer Space - explore how thrust and force work to propel rockets into space. Students will investigate how thrust and different forces act upon their spinning balloon to keep it hovering in mid air.

Field Trips: 
1. COSI Columbus (Gravity In Action)
2. Technopolis (Let It Roll) 
3. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (Wingin It & Nosedive)
4. The Science Place & TI Founders IMAX Theater (Stadium Seat Science)
5. The Franklin Institute (Hit The Spot)
6. Jason Foundation for Education (How Do Probes Get Into Outer Space)

Other Related Sites:
1. Arizona Science Center - FAB Lab - experiments in open-ended fashion with basic forces, gravity & friction.
2. U.S. Space & Rocket Center - Aviation Challenge & Experience Space History
3. Sci-Quest Hands-On Science Center - Lighter Than Air - learn how molecules can hold up an airplane.
4. Southern Museum of Flight - Family Hands-On Hanger - use computer flight simulators to test the principles of flight in a Gurocopter.
5. The Imaginarium - Physics of Toys - learn the Laws of Motion while playing with toys.
6. Flandrau Science Center - 3-2-1 Blastoff! - takes you on an adventure into outer space to explore the Sun & planets in our solar system.
7. Chabot Space & Science Center - Star Station One - focuses on how astronauts living on the ISS will adapt to the rigorous micro gravity environment.
8. Lawrence Hall of Science - Flying High - take off with the launch of a space-ship and learn how things move in space, and how astronauts eat in a weight-less environment, and how satellites are put into orbit.
9. Mid-America Science Museum - Matter - fly a hot air balloon by controlling the temperature of air. Explore how hot air rises when it is heated by a gas.
10.California Academy of Sciences Morrison Planetarium - visit the Space Place "Space Science In Action" to launch a rocket from a spinning planet.
11.California Science Center - Fun Lab - visit Do It Yourself Science "Floating In Air" to levitate a ping pong ball with help from Bernoulli.
12.Discovery Science Center - Principles of Flight - learn how we control air-craft once we get them into the air. Also investigate the anti-gravity mirror and Bernoulli Blower.
13.Discovery Center Museum - take a virtual tour of hovercraft demonstrations on the Rock River.
14.Exploration Place, Inc. - Exploring Flight and Design - investigate the world of aviation with the Silverwing, flight simulators, and a wind tunnel.
15.Louisville Science Center - Space Science Gallery - track the progress of space exploration through history.
16.Excel Interactive Science Museum - The Floating Ball & Free-Fall Intercept.
17.Michigan Space and Science Center - view aerospace artifacts provided by NASA and the National Air & Space Museum. etc, etc.

Number of TryScience.org features used
+15

Titles of TryScience.org features
Experiments:
Hit The Spot, Wingin It, Gravity In Action, Let It Roll, Nosedive, Stadium Seat Science, How Do Probes Get To Outer Space.

Extreme Challenge:
Rock Climbing - Friction Training, Oxygen & Altitude Training
Snowboarding - Center of Gravity Training, Air Resistance Training
Mogul Competition - Center of Gravity Training, Air Resistance Training

Adventure: Discover Extremes at Starfleet Academy

Field Trips: COSI, Technopolis, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, The Science Place & TI Founders IMAX Theater, The Franklin Institute, Jason Foundation for Education, etc.

Materials Used
Computers/Internet,TryScience.org Web site, mylar balloons (with internal rubber ring), helium tank, lung capacity (carbon dioxide), straws, stopwatches, markers, tape, calculator (to calculate average hover time), graph paper (optional).