Science lesson helps student problem-solving skills take off
By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Eighth-grade students in Lindsay Noyes’ science classes at SeDoMoCha Middle School were given the task of getting a seven-gallon trash can lining bag to rise and stay aloft in the air. The pupils had cake candles and pipe cleaners as suggested supplies for their experiment, as they then needed to configure a setup in order to launch their bags.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SUCCESS IS THE BAG — SeDoMoCha Middle School eighth-grader Jonathan McGinley and science teacher Lindsay Noyes look on as McGinley’s trash bag rises into the air. Noyes’ students were given the task of trying to come up with a method of getting a trash can liner to stay aloft, with cake candles, pipe cleaners and scotch tape as potential supplies.
“The most important thing I stress in class is it’s okay to fail because it gives them a starting point,” Noyes said after a March 28 class. The trial and error enables the students to see what could work, what methods do not and how they can alter their designs for a successful balloon launch.
“It’s interesting to see them problem solve based on what they have done in the classroom and apply it,” Noyes said, mentioning the class was on its second day of the experiment with many of the students ready to try building base structures for their bags.
She said with Next Generation Science Standards various topics have been divided up among the middle school science classes, and with physics the current experiment enables students to apply concepts through a hands-on lesson. Noyes added that later in the year eighth-graders will be studying anatomy, with a dissection planned.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
THINGS ARE STARTING TO HEAT UP — Getting ready for a test flight are grade 8 students Jordan Thomas, left, and Sarah Cookson with their science teacher Lindsay Noyes.
The pupils were told they could not cut their bags, but could try and fold and tape down portions if they thought this adjustment might work. Noyes reminded her students the larger the size of the bag, the greater the amount of air inside and therefore the more weight it could support.
“Remember mass and density?,” Noyes asked. “In order for something to float it must be displace its weight in fluid. The more hot air we have in here, the more mass it can hold.”
When the students, most of whom worked in pairs, had a design they felt was ready for a test flight their candles were lit as the warmer and less dense air slowly filled the bag. The eighth-graders all wore safety goggles and carefully held their bags to avoid the melting of plastic when possible.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
TRIAL AND ERROR — In the midst of a test on their balloon experiment are Justice Pearl, left, and Shyler Lewis during a grade 8 science class at SeDoMoCha. Students were able to test various methods to get their seven-gallon trash bag liners up in the air, and could then adjust their procedures if need be.
Some bags stayed on the table while others rose into the air and successfully reached the ceiling on the first attempt. Several groups then made modifications, such as theirs having too much mass, and got their bags to rise and stay aloft. Some adjustments included changing the number of the candles used, the placement of the candles as well as the candle height.
Noyes said this is the sixth year she has taught a version of the balloon experiment. She said in the near future she may use a larger balloon to show the students the lessons they have learned on a much grander scale.
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT — Eighth-graders Brandon Weston, left, and Gaven Cook, with Ben Kelly and Hayley Grant working behind them, watch as their replica hot air balloon rises to the ceiling during science class at SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft on March 28. The experiment enabled students to apply physics lessons they had learned.