Integrating Technology into an Interdisciplinary Math and Science Project
The Boiling Point
(based on Collaborative International Boiling Point Science Education Project, Stevens Institute of Technology, Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education)In this experiment, students will boil distilled water and record the following information:
- temperature at which the water boils (boiling point)
- room temperature
- volume of water
- elevation
- heating device
The purpose of this project is to determine which factor in the experiment (room temperature, volume of water, elevation, or heating device) has the greatest influence on the boiling point. Students will analyze data to determine this.
Students will develop a hypothesis for the experiment. Which factor do you think will have the greatest influence on the boiling point? Why?
Enrichment Information
Interested in learning more about temperature, the development of thermometers and temperature scales, heat and thermodynamics, the Kinetic Theory, thermal radiation, and the temperature of the Universe? Check out the About Temperature web site; it is also available in Spanish at Acerca de la temperatura.
The following web pages demonstrate opportunities to integrate technology into this interdisciplinary math and science project.
3. Converting and obtaining data.
4. Storing and manipulating data.
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