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Georganna BenedettoTreasure Hunt27 Jan. 2016

Science Treasure Hunt LabTeacher’s Instructions

Brief Description of Activity:The lesson uses the overarching idea of a treasure hunt activity to help students learn about a wide variety of science principles ranging from oxidation, polarity, and aerodynamics. The students are tasked with finding the treasure that Captain Hook stole from Peter Pan treasure using a series of clues that use a scientific aspect to reveal the next location.

Learning Goals: Students will test

o how to reveal hidden messages using scientific principles ranging from chemical reactions to aerodynamics

Students will observeo hints in a treasure map to get to a final destinationo a hovercraft moving o applying heat and oxygen to lemon juice writingo how different substances such as wax and water do not interact

Students will understando the way to think criticallyo the interactions involved in oxidationo the principles of aerodynamics and the motions of objectso the principles of gases and volumeo how polarity and solubility affects how substances interact

Recommended Grades: K-8nd

Estimated Time Required:a) Prep Time: 20 minsb) Class Time: 50 mins

Key Concepts and Definitions of Terms:Oxidation : the process or result of losing electrons. Oxidation sometimes works hand in hand with reduction, the process of gaining electrons, usually with acids and bases and some electrochemical processes. Polarity : a physical alignment of atoms that is determined by how the electric charge of a compound or molecule is separated. Molecular polarity is determined by the difference in electronegativity between atoms in the compound, namely the asymmetry of the compound’s structure. Polarity determines physical properties such as surface tension, solubility, and melting and boiling points. Aerodynamics : the study of how gases interact with moving bodies. The gas that we encounter most is air and it determines how the It is concerned with the forces of drag and lift, which are caused by air passing over and around solid bodiesFriction : the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and material elements sliding against each otherVolume : The amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object or region of space

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Georganna BenedettoTreasure Hunt27 Jan. 2016What Happens and Why:

Lemon Juice Ink: The clue is constructed by taking a blank piece of computer paper and writing on in using lemon juice. The lemon juice is an acid, a substance that is sour, neutralizes bases, and accepts electrons, that is composed of carbon atoms. When the heat is applied to the paper the carbon atoms in the lemon juice break away from their compounds and come in contact with the oxygen in the air. Then oxidation occurs and the acid on the paper darkens in color to reveal the hidden message. This is the same concept behind why fruits like apples will turn brown when cut and left in the presence of oxygen.

White Crayon Message: The clue is constructed by taking a blank piece of white computer paper and writing or drawing using a white crayon. The white crayon is composed of paraffin wax, a nonpolar substance. The wax has compounds that are symmetrical and therefore distribute the charges of the individuals atoms and cancel any charge. When watercolor paint is applied over the paper the paper absorbs the paint everywhere except where the crayon was used, revealing the message. The water in the watercolor paint is polar due to an unequal sharing of electrons in the water molecule since the electronegativity of the oxygen pulls the electrons away from the hydrogen for the majority of the time. Polar substances are not soluble with nonpolar substances and therefore the wax and water will not mix.

Hovercraft: The model of the hovercraft works due to aerodynamics, the study of the properties of moving air, and especially of the interaction between the air and solid bodies moving through it. When the air from the balloon is allowed to slowly effuse out of the small puncture holes in the tape, a small air cushion is created under the CD. This air cushion allows the hovercraft to float across surfaces depending on the friction between the surface and the CD. On a smooth surface like a lab table, there is less friction so the hovercraft moves more freely. On a rough surface like a rug, there is more friction so the hovercraft does not move. This is the same way an air hockey table works.

Materials Needed: (for 20 students)1. 4 Maps2. 20 Writing Utensils3. Paper4. Lemons5. Paintbrushes6. Hair straightener7. White Crayon8. Watercolor Paint9. Water10. Balloon11. Twist water bottle top12. CD13. Tape14. Push pin15. Glue gun16. Glue gun sticks

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17. 4 Boxes of beads and sequins (to serve as the treasure)

PREP: General Outline of Procedures for Hovercraft:The following instructions outline how to construct a small hovercraft to discuss aerodynamics. Make multiple (4-5) prior to the in-class activity for each group of students to experiment with during the activity.

1. Glue gun the water bottle top to the CD in the center2. Place tape over the hole in the CD3. Carefully push 6 holes in the tape (Note: make certain that the tape does not rip)4. Blow up a balloon 5. Twist the balloon opening to make it easier to attach the balloon to the water bottle6. Attach balloon to the water bottle cap and unpinch balloon

Estimated Cost: $15 (for 5 Hovercrafts) *Depending on your access to CDs

PREP: General Outline of Procedures for Making Clues1. Make 4 clues by writing “500 paces (5 inches) Northwest” on paper.2. Make 4 clues by writing “½ fish, ½ human” in lemon juice on paper.3. Make 4 clues by drawing a skull with white crayon on white paper. 4. Make 4 clues by writing “Hangman’s Tree” backwards on paper.

Safety Information: Teachers and students should all wear eye protection.

General Outline of Procedure (In-Class Activity):1. Explain to the students that Peter Pan needs their help to find the treasure that Captain

Hook stole and hid somewhere on Neverland.2. Explain that we will use science to help us discover where the clues tell us to go.3. Distribute materials (Map, Instructions, writing utensil)4. Have the students look over the map and have them start at the red square located at the

intersection of Crocodile Creek and Cannibal Cove. 5. Pass out the first Clue reading “500 paces (5 inches) Northwest” along with a ruler to

each group of students.6. Explain the compass in the top right hand corner of the map and assist students in

measuring 5 inches NW. 7. The students should conclude that the next location is Indian Camp.8. Have them record the Clue, the next location and how they cracked the code on their

Quest Worksheet. 9. Pass out the second Clue reading “½ fish, ½ human” written in lemon juice. (Note: the

lemon juice is somewhat readable without heating first, so explain to the students that we have a way to make the clue more readable.)

10. Use the hair straighten to reveal the writing11. Explain the properties of acids in fruit juice and how oxygen and oxidation help reveal

the writing. 12. The students should conclude that the next location is Mermaid Lagoon.13. Have them record the Clue, the next location and how they cracked the code on their

Quest Worksheet.

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14. Pass out the third Clue depicting a skull drawn in white crayon. (Note: similar to the lemon juice, the skull is somewhat readable without painting over in watercolor first, so once again explain to the students that we have a way to make the clue more readable.)

15. Have the students paint over the paper in watercolor to reveal the skull. 16. Explain the idea of polarity and how nonpolar substances like the wax in crayons will not

interact with the polar substance of water in the watercolor.17. The students should conclude that the next location is Skull Rock.18. Have them record the Clue, the next location and how they cracked the code on their

Quest Worksheet. 19. Pass out Clue four, which depicts “Hangman’s Tree” written backwards, and a mirror.20. Have the students use the mirror to read the clue.21. The students should conclude that the next location is Hangman’s Tree.22. Have them record the Clue, the next location and how they cracked the code on their

Quest Worksheet. 23. Tell the students we need to use a hovercraft to get to the next location (Hangman’s tree).24. Explain friction, volume, and how the hovercraft works using the properties of

aerodynamics.25. Allow each group of students to experiment with the hovercraft.26. Hand out the treasure (boxes with beads and sequins) and congratulate the students on

finding the treasure. 27. Answer discussion questions.28. Clean-up

Estimated Cost: $20 (including hair straightener, lemon juice, watercolor paint, crayons, paper) (excluding hovercraft expenses)

Variations:The different clues provided can be tailored to the specific science subjects that the intended student audience has to master.

1. UV “Spy” Pens: A substitution for one of the provided clues or a possible addition to the four provided clues if you want to add time to the activity is the use of UV “spy” pens with invisible ink. A pen can be bought at the link below for $11.59. https://jet.com/product/detail/ced322ee4cee49cdbfad65e21817dd87?jcmp=pla:ggl:office_supplies_a3:office_instruments_writing_drawing_instruments_markers_highlighters_a3_other:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&k_clickid=a1586bed-68af-4446-a56b-11b71ff36da1&abkId=403-180954&gclid=CP7n_IK9w8oCFQkxaQodEX0GTA

2. Decoding: A substitution for one of the provided clues or a possible addition to the four provided clues if you want to add time to the activity is the use of a coded message. Write the clue with each letter corresponding to a symbol. Provide students with a key showing what letters correspond with what symbols.

3. Hovercraft Tests: The attention to the hovercraft and concept of aerodynamics can be increased by assigning the groups of students to make a hypothesis of what surface the hovercraft will move best on. They can then test their hypothesis. Additional experiments can be performed like measuring how far the hovercraft travels based on how large the balloon is blown up.

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4. In order to make the activity more advanced for or older students (grades 5-8), the explanations of the science behind the clues can be explained more in depth.

Special Notes:The hovercraft needs balloons to work properly. It was tried with latex-free gloves but did not work. If a child has a latex allergy either eliminate the hovercraft component and insert one of the variations or purchase latex free or non-latex balloons. 9’’ Latex-Free balloons from the website below are 58 cents each. http://www.mrballoon.com/nonlatexballoons.html

References:

Helmenstine, Todd. "What Is the Difference Between Oxidation and Reduction?" About Education. 26 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemicalreactions/a/Difference-Between-Oxidation-Reduction.htm>.

"How a Hovercraft Works." Discover Hover. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.discoverhover.org/abouthovercraft/works.htm>.

"Non Latex and Latex-Free Balloons." Mister Balloon. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.mrballoon.com/nonlatexballoons.html>.

"Polarity of Bonds and Molecules." Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://dwb4.unl.edu/Chem/CHEM869E/CHEM869ELinks/www.uis.edu/7Etrammell/organic/introduction/polarity.htm>.

"What Is Aerodynamics?" NASA. Ed. Flint Wild. 21 May 2014. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-aerodynamics-58.html>.

"What Is Aerodynamics?" NASA. Ed. Sandra May. 4 June 2011. Web. 24 Jan. 2016. <http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-aerodynamics-k4.html>.

Picture Sources: https://www.pinterest.com/browncircus/tinkerbell-party/http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/http://lostonceuponatime.tumblr.com/post/56862469485/neverland-and-the-islandhttp://www.birthdayexpress.com/p/23470/jointed-pirate-ship-cutouthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Boys_(Peter_Pan)http://weheartit.com/entry/group/29993024

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Neverland Treasure

Hunt

Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and the Lost

Boys need your help to find the treasure that Captain Hook stole and hid somewhere on Neverland. It is up

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to you and your friends to find the treasure and save the day!

Look at the map and Clue #1 to start your treasure hunting!!!

Instructions:1. Get your map.2. Start your search

where Crocodile creek empties into Cannibal Cove. (WARNING: Be careful! The Pirates spend most of their time in this cove.)

3. Get your first clue and follow it to the indicated location.

4. Record the location and how you

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cracked the clue on your Quest Worksheet.

5. Listen to directions to receive your next clue.

6. Continue to crack the clues and record the locations until you get to the treasure!!!

QUEST WORKSHEET

Start: Crocodile Creek and Cannibal CoveWhat was Clue #1:Where did Clue #1 tell you to go?

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How did you crack the code?

What was Clue #2:Where did Clue #2 tell you to go?How did you crack the code?



Where is the treasure?How did we get to the treasure?

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Final QuestionsWhat is oxidation?

What is polarity?

Will polar and nonpolar things mix?

Does less friction or more friction help the hovercraft move fast?

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