This activity is about keeping a "mouse" warm. It is
designed to be done indoors. It teaches students about
insulating materials and dressing for the outdoors.
Set-Up
Explain the word insulation.
Insulation is a material that does not conduct heat or cold
well.
Most of our cool weather clothing uses insulating materials -
down, fur, wool or synthetic materials.
Give each student or pair of students a clean, empty film
canister with a tight fitting lid. The canister will soon be filled
with hot water and become their "mouse".
Challenge the students to make or find an insulator that will
keep the "mouse" warmer than another "mouse" in the room.
Display a variety of insulating materials the students can use.
Example include: wool, nylon, cotton, styrofoam, dish washing
scrubbies, socks.
You could include items from the school's lost and found such
as scarves and mitts.
Have tape, pins, twine and other fastening materials
available.
Student Activity
The students
Make an insulating jacket for their canister.
Get their canisters filled with hot tap water.
Record the water temperature.
Quickly place their "mouse" in its insulating jacket.
Place their labeled canister on a table with the other
"mice".
Measure the water temperature every 10-15 minutes over a
two-hour period. Record both time and temperature.
Plot their data on graph paper.
Also plot data from three of four "mice" that had jackets made
of different materials.
Discussion Questions
Based on your graph, who made the best insulator?
Why do you think it worked so well?
Which materials make the best insulator?
Which materials make the poorest insulator?
How could you improve your "mouse" insulator next time?
What conclusions can you draw about selecting clothes for cool
weather?