EAST HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL TESTIMONIAL
Hello! We are Blake Parker, Brian Damark, Jack Charde and Mr. Ryan. For the past three months we have been involved in the Keep the Heat experiment. In the beginning we struggled to get data readings that were consistent with other KTH experiments. It was taking our box much too long to reach the 30 degrees above ambient temperature. Therefore, we began to problem solve. We changed bulbs, electrical cords, light fixtures, added screws, and recut the top of the box to create a better seal. All of this was to no avail. Therefore, we built another box and the problem continued. The only way we conquered the problem was to change to a higher wattage bulb. This allowed us to reach the 30 degrees above ambient temperature in the consistent amount of time. We then were able to proceed on to the testing of Styrofoam. This seemed to go fine. After the testing of 3 layers of Styrofoam, we began our experimentation of a natural resource.
After running our base line data test using the ¾ inch Styrofoam we thought about using recycled materials. We had cornhusks readily available. This seemed to be a good recyclable material because corn is heavily grown on the eastern end of Long Island.
What concerns did we have?
Our first concern was how we would contain the cornhusk, and keep it in place and from coming in contact with the light bulb and burning. We solved that by holding it in place with the use of another recyclable material, cardboard.To make the insulator consistent all the way around, we sandwiched the cornhusk between two layers of cardboard. This way when we filled the compartment under the bulb there will be a layer of cardboard between the cornhusk.
After assembling our insulation, we ran the test. Our results were a bit confusing. Our test without insulation lasted longer than the test with insulation. After viewing the data we started to look at it in the form of a ratio. This then would make the insulation test more understandable and show the insulation to have a greater effect. We are still not sure if the test is showing accurate results. We are very interested in seeing others’ results. Our heat test without insulation lasted 33 minutes from peak to 5 degrees above ambient temperature. Later, the loss of heat with our natural resource of cornhusk and cardboard took 28 minutes from peak to 5 degrees above ambient.
The materials that we wished to use in the future will be feathers. A student in the sixth grade was studying insulators for her science fair project. So Blake and Brian consulted with her. She recommended feathers. The way that we would put the feather in our box is that we would put a piece of cardboard in each corner, then we would put the feather in the middle of each side of the cardboard then we would sandwich the feathers.
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