*French Resources Available as Attachments
Overview
Students will design a model of a geothermal exchange mechanism to raise or lower the temperature of a solution. The success of the model will be determined by the difference in temperature between the two containers.
NB Curricular Connections
Science 7
- Strand: Scientific Literacy – Big Idea: Sensemaking – Skill Descriptor: Analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to construct explanations and conclusions.
- Strand: Scientific Literacy – Big Idea: Investigation – Skill Descriptor: Plan investigationsto answer questions about relationships between and among variables observed in matter and Earth surface processes.
- Strand: Scientific Literacy – Big Idea: Investigation – Skill Descriptor: Collect and represent data using tools and methods appropriate for investigations of matterand Earth surface processes.
What You’ll Need
- 3 Large containers
- 25’ Aquarium tubing
- 16” Aquarium tubing
- 1 Large pipette
- 2 Thermometers
- 1 Measuring cup
- Water (warm or cold depending on objective)
- Gel packs or ice or acrylamide copolymer gel
- Towels
Instructions
- Download the Geothermal Challenge Activity Guide.
- Introduce Challenge 1 where students must move 500 mL of water from container 1 to container 2 without moving the containers.
- Debrief Challenge 1. What worked well? What didn’t? How could the rate of flow be increased?
- Introduce Challenge 2: where students must change the temperature of the water while moving it from container 1 to container 2 without moving the containers. The goal is to create the greatest change in temperature.
- Debrief Challenge 2. What worked well? What didn’t? How could the temperature change be increased?
Extension Ideas:
- CBC News article on a geothermal power plant in Saskatchewan https://youtu.be/Qn7IhGitNE4
- Background information and more geothermal activity ideas Geothermal Energy (5 Activities)
Reflection Activity
Global Competencies
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability and Global Citizenship
Acknowledgements
Activity downloaded from Carolina STEM Challenge®: Geothermal Kit | Carolina.com.
