Description
In this activity, students applied their understanding of heat transfer and the engineering design process to create a home that would keep a “penguin” (ice cube) from melting. During the design phase, students selected materials such as foam, cotton, bubble wrap, and aluminum foil within a $100 budget to build an insulated dwelling. They sketched their design, explained their material choices, and predicted how well their structure would work.
In the testing phase, students measured how long their ice cube stayed frozen, collected temperature data, and observed where heat entered their design. Using this evidence, they analyzed weaknesses and redesigned their penguin homes to improve insulation and performance. The process demonstrated that engineering is iterative—designs are tested, improved, and retested—and that scientific knowledge can guide better solutions to real-world problems.
Highlights
Description
In this activity, students applied their understanding of heat transfer and the engineering design process to create a home that would keep a “penguin” (ice cube) from melting. During the design phase, students selected materials such as foam, cotton, bubble wrap, and aluminum foil within a $100 budget to build an insulated dwelling. They sketched their design, explained their material choices, and predicted how well their structure would work.
In the testing phase, students measured how long their ice cube stayed frozen, collected temperature data, and observed where heat entered their design. Using this evidence, they analyzed weaknesses and redesigned their penguin homes to improve insulation and performance. The process demonstrated that engineering is iterative—designs are tested, improved, and retested—and that scientific knowledge can guide better solutions to real-world problems.
