You're Getting Warmer!

Collaboration

Use all of your scientific skills to heat things up!

Overview

Grades:
Time:
Subject:

5-8
20-30 minutes
Environmental Science

Welcome to the hot stuff data game in which your team must prove they are the hottest of them all!

Background

In PDQ2 you simulated the greenhouse effect using a container, direct sunlight, and some cellophane wrap.  You have also learned from studying CO2 characteristics that it absorbs heat and traps it in our atmosphere. 

Prepare to apply your knowledge and understanding to the data game as you compete with your fellow climatolgists to create the hottest environment possible. 

Good luck and let’s explore further with databot™!

Objectives

By completing this experiment and conducting the scientific observations associated with it you will master the following knowledge! Good luck science explorer!

  • Climate change is a complex topic with many factors influencing it.
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is:
    • An invisible and odorless gas.
    • Exhaled by human beings in the process of respiration.
    • Produced by a variety of manmade sources such as fossil fuels.
    • Considered a greenhouse gas that traps heat in our atmosphere
    • Increasing in concentration in our atmosphere each year, and has done so consistently since recording began in 1959.
    • Provides carbon for plants to use for building tissue through photosynthesis
  • Trees are a remarkable part of our climate ecosystem as they absorb and store carbon from CO2 in the air.
  • Scientific sensors allow us to measure the scientific world around us with better precision and accuracy.

What You'll Need

The materials list for this competition is open with the exception of the light/heat source. The challenge, with one consistent source of energy is to optimize the temperature in your greenhouse.  

  • IOS or Android smart device with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to connect to databot™
  • databot™ + Phypox App installed on your IOS or Android device
  • Light / heat source – clamp light, heat lamp, etc.  This needs to be consistent for all teams.
  • Container to hold databot™ and serve as the “greenhouse”
  • databot™ temperature probe

Prep

  • Make sure databot™ has a full charge as you will be placing it in your greenhouse for temperature monitoring
  • Check your connection to databot™ with Phyphox, you will want to be ready to record data when you begin the experiment!
  • Consider your prior greenhouse materials, the information shared in PDQ 2 carefully.  There may be clues that will help you win the competition.

Collaboration (25 Mins)

Welcome to the Data Game – Hot Stuff!

Rules and Procedures

  • Break into teams, or prepare to do this individually if you are virtual or in a small group.
  • You are all required to use the same light/heat source, but otherwise, use your creativity to design and optimize your hothouse.
  • Load the temperature experiment for databot and test.
  • Your mission is to build the hottest of the hottest hothouses.  Using all of your scientific knowledge, how can you create an environment with the highest temperature?!

Awesome! This concludes your Getting Warmer adventure.

Ready for more explorations? Let’s go!

Next Step, Ready to Explore?

Educator Info

Educator Info

Acetic Acid Molecule Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Awesome Mold Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

You’re Getting Warmer! by Robert O. Grover & Team databot is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at databot.us.com/contact.