Boiling Point
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Project Name:

Boiling Point

URL:

http://www.ciese.org/curriculum/boilproj/

Project Leader:

Jason Sayres: jsayres@stevens.edu

Description:

      The purpose of this project is to identify which factors effects the boiling point of distilled water. In school, the students will conduct the experiment for three days and find a class average.  The data is then shared with other participants and analyzed as a class.
      The website is extremely organized and easy to follow.  The teacher page contains 6 days of lessons, frequently asked questions, examples of past projects and more.  The website even goes beyond information about the project and provides Internet safety tips with an example AUP for the teacher. The website also has a discussion area and access to expert that will answer student questions. 

Fee:

None

Targeted Age:

Grades 6 - 12

Exceeds a Traditional Lesson:

This project has the students take three variable into consideration during analysis: boiling point, volume, and elevation. This project could be done non-collaboratively if the students did not consider elevation during the analysis.  The only way students could complete this project as written non-collaboratively would be to travel great distance, but since most schools do not have the means to do this, collaboration is the best way to complete this project.

Duration:

8 weeks

Technical Needs:

Computer with Internet access and a program such as Excel®, Adobe, ClarisWorks, to view student worksheets.

Math Standards Met:

Below are the MSDE Middle School Math Standards met by Boiling Point:

Standard 1.0 Knowledge of Algebra, Patterns, and Functions
      A. Patterns and Functions (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Identify, describe, extend, and create numeric patterns and functions
      C. Numeric and Graphic Representations of Relationships (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Locate points on a number line and in a coordinate plane
           2. Analyze linear relationships

Standard 3.0 Knowledge of Measurement:
      B. Measurement Tools (6th)
           1.  Measure in customary and metric units
      C. Applications in Measurement (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Estimate and apply measurement formulas (6th, 7th, 8th)
           2. Analyze measurement relationships (7th, 8th)

Standard 4.0 Knowledge of Statistics:
      A. Data Displays (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Organize and display data
      B. Data Analysis (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Analyze data (6th, 7th, 8th)
           2. Describe a set of data (6th, 7th)

Standard 6.0 Knowledge of Number Relationships and Computation/Arithmetic:
      C. Number Computation (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Analyze number relations and compute

Standard 7.0 Processes of Mathematics:
      A. Problem Solving (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Apply a variety of concepts, processes, and skills to solve problems
      B. Reasoning (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Justify ideas or solutions with mathematical concepts or proofs
      C. Communications (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Present mathematical ideas using words, symbols, visual displays, or technology
      D. Connections (6th, 7th, 8th)
           1. Relate or apply mathematics within the discipline, to other disciplines, and to life


Science Standards Met:

Below are the MSDE Middle School Science Standards met by Boiling Point:

Standard 1.0 Skills and Processes:
     A. Constructing Knowledge (6th, 7th, 8th)
          1. Design, analyze, or carry out simple investigations and formulate appropriate conclusions based on data obtained or provided.
     B. Applying Evidence and Reasoning (6th, 7th, 8th)
          1. Review data from a simple experiment, summarize the data, and construct a logical argument about the cause-and-effect relationships in the                       experiment.
     C. Communicating Scientific Information (6th, 7th, 8th)
          1. Develop explanations that explicitly link data from investigations conducted, selected readings and, when appropriate, contributions from historical           discoveries.

Standard 4.0 Chemistry:
    C. States of Matter (6th, 8th)
         1. Provide evidence and examples illustrating that many substances can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas depending on temperature. (6th)
         1. Describe how the motion of atoms and molecules in solids, liquids, and gases changes as heat energy is increased or decreased. (8th)


Recommended:

 The Boiling Point project would be most appropriate for 6th grade mathematics or science.  The math and science skills that are necessary to complete this project are moderate enough for either a math or science teacher.  This project could also be done as a collaborative project between the math and science teacher during acceleration time.