Design Brief - Thermometer
Introduction
Jack’s Mum wants to take Jack
and his little brother Sam to the
beach today. She is worried it
might be too hot. The beach is
not so fun when it is too hot to
even walk on the sand! She
needs a way to check the
temperature. Can you help her?
We need to create a
thermometer that can tell Jack’s
Mum what the temperature it will
be today.
Evaluation
After testing the thermometer using
your hands leave it outside under
cover or on the window seal of your
class.
Check each day to record the height
at with the water has risen to. This
will indicate what the temperature
is.
Links to the
Science/Technologies/Maths
Curriculum
Science - (ACSSU019), (ACSHE021),
(ACSHE022), (ACSIS025), (ACSIS026),
(ACSIS213), (ACSIS029)
Technologies - (ACTDEK001),
(WATPPS01), (WATPPS03),
(WATPPS04), (WATPPS05)
Mathematics - (ACMNA012),
(ACMNA013), (ACMMG019),
(ACMSP263)
Design Brief
Step 1: Fill ¼ of the bottle full with water and ¼ with the nail polish
remover.
Step 2: Add 4 drops of food colouring.
Step 3: Line the ruler up next to the straw and mark a dot for each
centimetre on the straw using the permanent marker.
Step 4: Put the straw into the bottle but don’t let it touch the bottom.
Step 5: Use the modelling cay to seal the opening at the top of the bottle
so the straw doesn’t touch the bottom and stays in its position.
Step 6: Test to see if it is effective by wrapping your hands around the
bottom of the bottle. Check to see if the water rises up the straw.
Project specifications Time
Materials:
- Clear, plastic bottle. This task
- Water. should take
- Nail polish remover. you 15
- Clear plastic drinking straw. minutes to
- Modelling clay. assemble.
- Food colouring (pick colour of your choice). Check daily
- Permanent marker and ruler. for the next 8
weeks.
Presentation
After placing the thermometer inside on the window sill or outside under
cover leave it for 4 hours before checking tor record temperature.
You are to record the temperature in your weather diary daily using the
drawn thermometer. Use the markings on the straw of the thermometer
to count how many degrees celsius it is and record this on the
thermometer in your weather diary.
Once you have recorded this, check on the weather map on the iPad to
compare your results with the accurate temperature. Record the accurate
temperature next to your own thermometer.
Resources/support materials
Video Instructions on how to make a Thermometer:
https://youtu.be/EbrVwQpgEmc
What is Temperature? https://youtu.be/EPAct_QsGKg
Here is a game to help get you familiar with reading a thermometer:
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Flash.aspx?f=Temperaturev2