teacher’s guide for: foam...

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Contents: Quick Reference Sheets: Intro: page 2 Experiment page 3 Equipment List: Foam Cutters page 4 Story, Part 1: Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures page 5 Story, Ending page 6 Video Transcript: Intro: page 7 Story, Part 1 : Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures page 8 Experiment page 11 Story Ending page 13 Teacher’s Guide for: Foam Cutters Note: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities. Note: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities. Foam Cutters A Rock-it Science Lesson Filmed November, 2009 Title Page of Video NOTE: This is the transcript of a lesson that was videotaped during an actual Rock-it Science class with real students, not actors. The students’ brainstorming comments are included on the video but are not transcribed here because they’re not part of the lesson presentation. Rock-it Science 2110 Walsh Ave, Unit F Santa Clara, CA 95050 www.rockitscience.org (c) 2012 Rock-it Science Educationally Useful Programs. All Rights Reserved

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Contents:

Quick Reference Sheets:• Intro: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page2• Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page3• EquipmentList:Foam Cutters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page4• Story,Part1:Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page5• Story,Ending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page6

Video Transcript:• Intro: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page7• Story,Part1:Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures . . . . . . . . . . . . .page8• Experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page11• StoryEnding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page13

Teacher’s Guide for:

Foam CuttersNote: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities.

Note: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities.

FoamCuttersARock-itScienceLessonFilmedNovember,2009

Title Page of Video

NOTE: This is the transcript of a lesson that was videotaped during an actual Rock-it Science class with real students, not actors. The students’ brainstorming comments are included on the video but are not transcribed here because they’re not part of the lesson presentation.

Rock-it Science2110 Walsh Ave, Unit FSanta Clara, CA 95050www.rockitscience.org

(c) 2012 Rock-it Science Educationally Useful Programs. All Rights Reserved

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 2

Intro Quick Recap:• Whenyoustickyourfingerintheelectricaloutlet,whathap-pens?Doyougethotterorcolder?

• Whenelectricitypassesthroughstuff,itgetshotter,dependingonhowmuchelectricityyouputthroughit .

• Voltsislikehowfartheelectricitycanjump .Ampsishowmuchofitisflowing .

• Demonstrateawirewithsixvoltsonitandtwoampsgoingthroughit .

• Holdastyrofoamtrayagainstthewiresothatthewiremeltsthroughit .

• Increasetheelectricityinthewiretotwelvevoltsandfouramps .Showhowitcutsthroughthefoammorequickly .

• Demonstratethewirecuttingthroughvariousobjects:ablockofpolyethylenefoam,aplasticcup,andagluestick .

Disassembling the sensor on a stethoscope.

The hot wire melts through the styrofoam tray. . .

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 3

Experiment Quick Recap: “Foam Cutters”• We’regoingtomakesomethingusingabatterytoheatupalittlepieceofwire .Theelectricityneedstocomeoutthetopofthebattery,throughthewire,andbackinthebottomofthebattery .

• Demonstratehowtocoverchopstickswithaluminumtapesotheelectricitywillflowthroughthem .

• Attachtheendsofthewiretothechopsticksbyplacingthecrimp-onstudsoverthepointedendsofthechopsticks .

• Placethebatterybetweenthechopsticksneartheotherend .Tapeittooneofthechopstickswithelectricaltape .

• Placeablockoffoamabovethebattery,sothey’retouching .Wraptapearoundthefoamandbatterytoholdthemtogether,thentapethefoamtothechopsticks .

• Thefoamisalittlebitlongerthanthebattery,sothebatteryisonlyincontactwithoneofthechopsticks .Squeezingthebottomofthechopstickstogetherbringsthembothincontactwiththebatterysothecurrentflows .

• Whenthecurrentflows,thewiregetshotanditcancutthroughafoamtray .Demonstratehowtocutshapesfromthefoam .It’snotnecessarytouseforce;justlettheheatmeltthroughit .

• Passoutsuppliestostudents,startingwiththechopsticksandaluminumtape,andhavethembuildtheirfoamcutters .

• Thenpassoutfoamtrayssostudentscancutshapeswiththehotwire .• NOTE:Afterthislessonwasvideotaped,wedevelopedanalternatewayofbuildingthefoamcutter .Insteadofattachingcrimp-onstudsateachendofthewire,weusedtheplainwire,butmadeitafewincheslongerthanthedistancebetweenthechopsticks .Havethestudentswraptheendsofthewirearoundeachchopstick,leavingitloosebetweenthem .

• Aftertryingtocutthetraywiththewireatthislength,havethemwrapitafewmoreturnsaroundeachchopsticksoitbecomesshorterandtighter .Thentrycuttingthefoamtrayagainandseeifit’sharderoreasiertocutasthewirebecomesshorter .

• Inplaceofthefoamblock,weusedasliceofalargefoamnoodle,thekindusedforswimmingpooltoys .Thismakesiteasierforthestudentstosqueezethechopstickstogether .WealsousedaAAbatteryinsteadofasizeCbattery .

• Avideoshowinghowtobuildthisalternatefoamcutterisonourwebsite,onthesamepageastherestofthelessonvideo .

Completed foam cutter

Alternate foam cutter design

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 4

Equipment List: “Foam Cutters”Items needed for Instructor:

• Largefoamcutterconnectedtoampmeter• Samplematerialstocutthrough:foamtray,polyethylene,plasticcup,gluestick,etc .

• Smallsamplefoamcutter• Wirecutters

Items needed for Students:

Consumables (per student):

• “C”Battery• 2pointedwoodenchopsticks• Aluminumtapesamelengthaschopsticks(2pcs)

• Smallblockoffoam• Shortwirewitha#8crimp-onstudfor18guagewireateachend(pre-assembled)

• Electricaltape• Styrofoamtray• Ziplockbag,1-qtsizeOther:

• Scissors• Markers,permanent,colored

For alternate (preferred) Foam Cutter design:

• “AA”Battery• 2pointedwoodenchopsticks• Aluminumtapesamelengthaschopsticks(2pcs)• Sliceoffoamnoodle,approx .3/4”thick• Steelrope,1/16”,about6”long,separatedintoindividualstrands

• Electricaltape• Styrofoamtray

Prep Work:

• Cutaluminumtapetosamelengthaschopsticks .

• Cutsteelropetosize .• Attachcrimp-onstudstoendsofwire .

• Cutfoamtosize,about1/4”longerthanbattery .

For alternate (preferred) Foam Cutter design:

• Cutaluminumtapetosamelengthaschopsticks .

• Cutsteelropetoabout6” .Separateintoindividualstrands,orhavestu-dentsdothisduringthelesson .

• Cutfoamnoodleintoslicesonabandsaw .(Seevideo)

Story Recap: “Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures”

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 5

Part 1:

• EvilMisterFreddecidedtowreckChristmasbystealingallthepresentsattheNorthPole .Heflewthereonacloudwithhisminions .

• Theelvescanmakeallthepresentsbecausetheymoveincrediblyfast .• EvilMisterFredtoldhisminionstohittheelveswiththeirbaseballbats,buttheelvesweretoofastforthem .Theyjustmovedoutoftheway .

• Thenextday,EvilMisterFredtriedtoshowtheminionshowtohittheelves,buthecouldn’tdoiteither,andheendedupgettinghitbytheminion’sbaseballbatshimself .

• SantacalledJackandJilltocomeandhelp .TheyclimbedontoRudolphandstartedridingaroundtoseewhatwashappening .

• EvilMisterFredhadhisminionsbuildabunchofevil-lookingsnowmen .ThenheorderedabottleofAlivenessPowderfromtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandbroughtthemtolife .

• Butthesnowmonstersweren’tmean .Theystartedsinginganddancing .SoEvilMisterFredspreadpepperalloverthemonsters,makingthensneeze .Thentheybecamenastyandangry .

• EvilMisterFredsentthemonsterstostarteatingtheelves .

Story Recap (cont.): “Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures”

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 6

Ending:

• JackandJillhookedupsomewirestoRudolph’snose .ThentheystuckthewiresonJill’shair .• ThentheytoldRudolphtostartflyingaround .Asheflew,hegeneratedenergywithhisnose .• TheenergywentthroughJill’shairandmadeitglowredhot .• Theyflewoverthesnowpeopleandcutthemtoshreds .Theelvesthathadbeenswallowedjumpedout .

• RudolphflewuptoEvilMisterFred’scloudandcutitinhalf .EvilMisterFredfellonthesnowmonsters,andtheonesthatwerestillaliveatehimup .

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 7

Transcript: Intro Forthescienceypart,ifyoustickyourfingerintheelectricaloutlet,whathappens?[Students: You get shocked.]Yougetshocked .Doyougethotterorcold-er?[Students: Hotter.]Hotter .Yeah,wheneveryouputelectricitythroughstuff,itgetshotter .Italmostnevergetscolder,buttherearesometimeswhenitmaygetcolder,too .

Ifyouputelectricitythroughathinwire,youcanmakeitashotasyoulike,dependingonhowmuchelectric-ityyouputthrough .Andelectricityismeasuredwiththingscalledvoltsandthingscalledamps .Sovoltsislikehowfartheelectricitycanjump .Solightninghaslotsandlotsofvolts .Ampsishowmuchofitisflowing,likehowmuchwaterflowsdownariver .[Points to large foam cutter wire]Thiswire,we’reonlygoingtoputsixvoltsonit,andit’sgottwoampsgoingthroughit .

[Holds up a styrofoam tray]Now,you’veprobablyallplayedwithstyro-foambefore .Youcankindasquishit,it’skindasoft .Thiskindofstyro-foam,ifyoutouchittoawire[holds styrofoam tray against wire, which slowly cuts through it],youcanmeltthroughit .That’swithsixvolts .[Student: But where’s the liquid that you just melted?]Well,itsolidifiesassoonasitgetsawayfromthewire .

Nowthat’stwelvevolts .Whenyouputtwelvevoltsthroughthewire,insteadoftwoamps,nowit’sgotfourampsgoingthroughit .Nowwecantakeit[cuts through foam again, more quickly this time].

[Holds up a block of foam]Thisstuffismadeoutofpolyethylene--likemilkjugs,waterbottlessometimes--andlotsofairbubbles .Solet’sseewhathappenswhenweputpolyethyleneonit .[Holds foam against wire, slides it back and forth to cut through].Andyoucancutthroughit .Theliquidjustsolidifies,youknow,likeyourhotmeltglueguns .Youmeltit,andthenwhenitcools,itgetshardagain .That’sthesamethingwiththis .

[Holds up a 16-oz plastic cup]Thisisacup--it’smadeoutofpoly-styrene .[Holds cup against wire, moving it back and forth until it cuts through]We’lltakeacupandletitmeltthroughthere .Andyoumeltthecupout .

[Holds up a glue stick]Thisisagluestick .Thesearethesameonesyouguysuse .[Runs glue stick back and forth along wire]It’smelting .[Wire cuts through glue stick] Watchthesmoke . [Runs glue stick back and

A thin wire is stretched between electrical connectors

The hot wire melts through the styrofoam tray. . .

. . . and a polystyrene cup

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 8

forth again]Ifyoueverneedsomenice,reasonablysafesmoke,thisispolyethylenesmoke .

[Holds up foam block and glue stick]Thisstuffandthisstuffarethesamestuff .Youcangluethingstogetherwithit .Todaywe’regoingtobeputtingelectricitythroughwiresandexperimentingwithit . . . . and a smoking glue stick.

Story: “Jack and Jill and the Snow Creatures”Okay,nowwecandoacrazystory .Let’ssee .Onceuponatime,EvilMisterFredwassittingaroundinhiscastle,justthinkingaboutwhatkindofevilthingshecoulddo .Andhethought,“What’stheevilestthingIcouldpossibledo?ShouldIwreckThanksgiving?Maybemakealltheturkeysflyaway .ShouldIwreckFourthofJulyandstealevery-body’sfirecrackers?ShouldIwreckNewYear’sDayandnotletany-bodyhaveanyfun?OrshouldIwreckChristmas,andnotletanybodyhaveanygifts?”SohedecidedtowreckChristmas .He’snotgoingtoletanybodyhaveanygifts .

There .TheNorthPole .AndEvilMisterFredthought,“Boy,I’mgonnagototheNorthPoleandstealalltheirpresents .”Sohegotonhismin-ionsand--Let’shavehimflyonabigcloud .EvilMisterFredisflyingalongonhiscloud,cleartotheNorthPole(it’swarmerinthecloud) .Andhe’sgotsomeminionsridingalong .Hemakesthemrideoutside .Minions,minions,minions,minions .There--minionsalloverit .

Andthere’saguynamedSantaClausattheNorthPole,andhegetsallthecreditforbeingtheSantaandgivingawayallthegifts,butyouknowwhomakesallthegifts?[Students: The elves!]

Theelvesmakeallthegifts .Theydoallthehardwork,Santagetsalltheglory .Andtheelvesarelittlepurpleguys .Theywearpointyhatsandthey’vegotlittlebodies,andtheyhavebigears .Likethat,there’sanelf .Sothere’selvesallovertheplace .Andtheelveshavetomake--oh,aboutsixbilliongiftsayear .That’skindofalotofgifts,youknow,sixbillionayear .Andtheycouldworkreallyfast .Andelvesalsotalkreallyfast .Andtheirhandsworksofastyoucanhardlyseetheirfingersmove .Andwhentheywalkfromplacetoplace,allyouseeisaflashoflight--bshew,bshew,bshew,bshew--elvesrunningeverywhere .

SoEvilMisterFredlandedhiscloudclosetotheNorthPole .Hesaid,“Minions,grabyourbaseballbats .”Sotheminionsallgrabbedtheirbaseballbats .Andhesaid,“Gofindthoseelvesandhitthemonthehead .”Andalltheminionssaid,“Allright!”TheyjumpedoffthecloudandrantowardSanta’splace,andtheywerereadytohittheelves .

Evil Mister Fred goes to the North Pole.

He flies on a cloud with his minions.

There are elves all over the place.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 9

Theygofwhew![swings bat downward],andtheelvesjustgoboop![steps aside]becausetheelvesaresoquick,theywouldmiss .Andthentheminionswouldtrytohitsomewhereelse,andtheelveswouldjustdodge .Andthentheminionssaid,“Okay,I’llshowyouguys!”Andwentwhoosh!likethis[swings bat horizontally],andtheelveswouldjustjumpupintheair .Andtheminionscouldn’thitthem .Andtheminionsweretryingsohardtohitthemthattheywerehittingeachother .Andafteraboutanhour,theminionsweresotiredout,theycouldn’tevenwiggletheirarms,andtheywentbacktoEvilMisterFredwithbumpsontheirheads .

[Student: They don’t have arms, I thought.]Ortheirmustaches,becausetheyswingthemwiththeirmustaches .AndtheywentbacktoEvilMisterFred,andEvilMisterFredsaid,“Allright,didyouhitthemallonthehead?”Andtheminionssaid,“No,boss .Theyweretoofast .Wecouldn’tstop‘em .Wedidn’tknowwhattodo .”AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Can’tyouguysdoanythingright?Arrgh,I’llshowyou .”

Sothenextday,EvilMisterFredjumpedoffthecloud,gothisownbaseballbat,andtooktheminionsouttoshowthemhowtohitlittleelvesonthehead .Andofcourse,EvilMisterFredhadnomoresuccessthananyoneelse .Plus,EvilMisterFredgothitbytheminions .Sohehadbumpsonhishead,andbumpsonhisarmsandbumpsonhisknees .Let’sputsomebumpsonEvilMisterFred .Hegotbumpsonhismus-tache .Becausehegothitbytheminions .Hesaid,“Aw,weneedabetterplanforthis .”Sohewentbacktohiscloudtothinkofaneatplantodo .

Now,prettysoonwordgotoutthattheNorthPolewasunderattack .Santawasinawar,andheneededreinforcements .TherestofthepeopleintheworldsentJackandJilluptheretostopwhateveritwasthatwasgoingon .

SoJackandJillwentupthere,andSantasaid,“Hey,goodtoseeyouagain .What’sup?”AndJackandJillsaid,“Ithoughttherewaswargoingon .”Santasaid,“Oh,no,it’sokay .Youknow,theycan’thitmyelves .They’retooquick .”AndJackandJillsaid,“Oh,well,somaybewecanjusthangaround,takesomeridesonthereindeer,andhavesomefun .”AndSantasaid,“Yeah,goforit!”

SoJackandJillgotonRudolph .There’sRudolph .Doreindeerhaveatail?[Student: Yeah. It’s a ball.] Oh,aball?There .SotheyrodearoundonRudolphforawhile .AndEvilMisterFredwasbusywhiletheywereplayingaround .EvilMisterFredsaid,“Minions,startmakingsnow-men .”Andtheminionssaid,“Snowmen?Whatfor?”AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Becauseweneedthem .Andmakethemlookevil .”

The minions went after the elves with their baseball bats.

Jack and Jill came to help Santa and the elves.

Evil Mister Fred ended up with bumps all over.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 10

Sotheminionsstartedmakingsnowmen .Theyhadsnowmenwithfangs,snowmenwithgiantmouths,snowmenthatlookedlikemonsters,likealligators .AndEvilMisterFredcreatedanentirearmyofsnowmen .Andhesaid,“Ah,nowallwehavetodoismakeoursnowmenalive .”SohecalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandheorderedawholebottleofAlivenessPowder .Allyouhavetodoisshakeitonsomethingandit’llbecomealive .AndEvilMisterFredwentoutthereandshookthepowderonallthemonsters .Andthemonsterscamealive,andthemonstersstarteddancingaround,singingMerryHadaLittleLamb .AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“You’resupposedtobeevil .Nobody’sgoingtobeafraidofyouifyou’resingingMaryHadaLittleLamb .Themonsterssaid,“Sorry,that’sjustthewayweare .”AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Ar-rgh!”

SohecalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandheorderedsomepepper .Andhespreadpepperalloverthemonsters .Andtheysneezed,andthentheybecameorneryandnastyandangry .Yahhhh!AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Okay,monsters,goeattheelves!”

Andthemonsterswentout,andthereweresomanyofthem,theycrowdedtheelvesalltogetherandwent,“Arrumph!”Andtheystartedeatingelves .AndthewordgottoJackandJill .AndJackandJillsaid,“Noooo!We’vegotostop‘em!”IfyouwereJackandJill,whatwouldyoudotostopthesemonsters?

Evil Mister Fred created an army of snow monsters to eat the elves.

Jack & Jill rode around on Rudolph.

Imagination and Brainstorming Time[Students make suggestions](THEREARENOWRONGANSWERS!Whatevertheysay,youshouldreply:“That’sagoodidea,”“Theymightdothat,”etc .Afterbrainstorming,proceedwiththeexperi-ments,thenfinishthestory .)

We’llleavethis“TobeContinued . . .”

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 11

Experiment: “Foam Cutters”Andwe’regoingtomakesomething .Thesomethingwe’regoingtomakeneedsabattery[holds up “C” battery].Andwewantthebatteriestoheatupalittlepieceofwire .Andyourememberyesterday,Jenwassittingbacktheregoingtap,tap,tap?Shewastappingontheendpiecesofthesewiressothattheyhavehands .[holds up small piece of wire with a #8 crimp-on stud for 18 guage wire on each end]Seethat?They’vegothands .Wewanttheelectricitytogofromonehandtotheotherhand .

Now,togettheelectricitytogothroughthewire,theelectricitycomesoutthetopofthebatteryandgoesbackinthebottom .Andthewireisnotlongenoughtoreachfromtoptobottom .Sowe’regoingtoconnectthem .We’regoingtouse--let’ssee,whatsthemostridiculousthingwecouldthinkoftomakeelectricitygothrough?Howaboutchopsticks?Yeah,weneedchopsticks .[holds up a pair of chopsticks]There,chopsticks!

Thesearenotswords,thesearenotdaggers,they’renottobeusedtotakeboogersoutofyournose .They’rekindofsharpinsomecases .Butdoeselectricitygothroughchopsticks?[Students: No.]

You’reright .They’remadeofwood .Theydon’tsellmetalchopsticksatthestore .Sowhatwe’regoingtodoiswe’regoingtoturnthemintometalchopsticks .Youtakesomemetaltapeandyoupeeloffthecovering .Thisisaluminumtape .Andwe’lltakeachopstickandsetitonthetapelikethat .It’sprettystickytape,soifwejustrollitup[rolls chopstick in tape].Andwewanttosquishitaroundthepointyend,becausethehandsonthewireareprettysmall,soitneedstohavethepointyendtapered .Thenwe’lldotheotherone .

Sowhenyouputthestickonthetape,justputitontheveryedgeofthetapelikethat,setitonthetable,androll .There,nowyouhavesomemetalchopsticks .There--who’sgotthefood?

Now,wecanputourwireonthechopstick,kindofletitshandsgripontoit .[slides connectors over pointed ends of chopsticks]There,nowhe’sholdingontothetopofthechopsticks .

Now,ifwetakeourbattery,wecanjustputthebatterybetweentheendsofthechopsticksandelectricitywillgothroughthewire .

[Student: How do we keep them on?]Yeah,that’sagoodquestion .Howdowekeepthemon?Well,Jenfiguredthisallout .Jenisaphysicsmajor .Thatmeansshehasareallybigbraininsideofherhead .Wehadsomefoamsittingthere,sowecanusesometape .Wecankindoftapethingstogethersothattheydon’tfallapart .

Soifyouputalittlebitoftapeonyourbattery,thatkindofholdsthebatteryontooneend[tapes battery to one chopstick].There,nowyouhaveatleasthalfofabatterystucktoastick .Thenyoucantakeyour

A piece of wire with “hands.”

Place the chopstick on the aluminum tape and roll it up.

Slip the wire “hands” over the pointy ends.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 12

pieceoffoam,andtapeitontothebattery .[Places foam block above battery, between chopsticks, and tapes foam to battery]Nowyou’vegotittapedontothebattery .Butyou’vegotthisotherstickdanglingoutthere .Wecantapeitontothefoam[tapes other chopstick to foam block].

Nowyou’vegottwosticks,abattery,apieceoffoam,sothatthisstickisn’ttouchingthebattery .Sosad .Whatshouldwedo?Wecouldtapeitdown .Howaboutifwejustsqueezeit .[squeezes bottom ends of chop-sticks so both ends contact the battery].Sowhenyouletgo,you’renotwastingelectricity .Youjustgosqueezy,squeezy,squeezy .Andwhenyoudosqueezy,itgetshot .Whenyouun-squeezy,itgetscold .Let’stryitonapieceoffoamandseeifitdoesanything .Sowe’llsqueezyitandnow[wire cuts through foam tray].

Ifyouwanttomakeamouthwithlotsofteeth,youjustgowiggle,wiggle,wiggle .Now .there’samouthwithawholebunchofteeth .Ifyouwanttomakeaneye,youcangoinandmakeaneye[cuts shapes out of foam].There’saneyenow--you’vegotahalfofamonsterface .Soyoucanmakeanythingyouwanttooutofthat .

[Student: Are we gonna make those?]Yeah,you’regonnamakethese,okay?

[Assistant, passing out chopsticks]Beverycarefulofthese,chopsticksarevery,verysharp .

[Students build foam cutters and cut shapes out of a foam tray. They can also color the pieces if they wish. At the end of the experiment, give each student a ziplock bag for their foam pieces.]

NOTE: See the lesson video on our web site for instructions on building an alternate version of the foam cutter. The al-ternate version allows the students to experiment with differ-ent lengths of wire to see which length cuts best.

Tape one end of the battery to one chopstick, then tape

the foam block to the battery.

Tape on other chopstick and squeeze.

You can cut a foam tray into a monster face.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Foam Cutters -- Page 13

End of Story * DO NOT * present this part of the lesson until after the experiments!EvilMisterFredjustmadeanarmyofsnowmen,andhesprinkledpep-peronthemtomakethemangry,nastysnowmen .AndtheyweregoingtochargeintoSantaClause’sterritoryandeatuptheelves .Andsomeofthemhadalreadyeatenupsomeelves .JackandJillsaid,“We’vegottodosomethingtostopthem .”AndJacksaid,“Weneedpower,morepow-er .”SotheyhookedupsomewirestoRudolph’snose .AndtheystuckthewiresonJill’shair .Andtheysaid,“Rudolph,startflyingaround .”

AndRudolphtookoffintotheair,andhe’sflyingaround .Andwhenhegeneratedenoughenergywithhisnose,itwentthroughJill’shairandmadeherhairglowredhot .Andtheywentdownandflewoverthesnowpeopleandtheycutthemalltoshreds .Andtheonesthathadswallowedelves,theelvesjumpedoutreallyfast .AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Youcan’tdothat!Youleavemyarmyalone!”AndRudolphsaid,“Cool!Let’sgovisittheguyupinthecloud .”AndJackandJillsaid,“Okay .”

SotheyzoomeduptovisitEvilMisterFredandaccidentallycuthiscloudrightinhalf .AndEvilMisterFredfellout--“Ahhhhhh!”--andlandedonsomeofhissnowmen .Andtheonesthatwerestillaliveatehimup .Andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafter,exceptEvilMisterFred .

End of Lesson

If y0u have questions about this lesson, please ask them through the online Teacher Support Forum on our web site.

Jack & Jill hooked up wires to Rudolph’s nose and stuck them

on Jill’s hair to make it hot.

Rudolph cuts up the monsters, then cuts Evil Mister Fred’s cloud in half. The monsters eat him up.