Happy Primary School

Primary 4 - Science Performance Task

“Our Magic Mug!”

Group Name: _______________

Group Name: _______________________________

Group Leader: _______________________________

Assistant Group Leader: _______________________________

Group Members: _______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

INTRODUCTION

My hot coffee in this cup has turned cold!

I heard my friend has a special container that can keep hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold, for a longer period of time.

Would you like to help me make one?Ms Tan

Materials chosen Materials not chosen

Your Group’s Task:

You are to design and create a special mug that can keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for as long as possible.

After your group has created the special mug, there will be a mini-competition among the different groups of your class. The group whose mug can keep Ms Tan’s coffee hot for the longest period of time will win!

You will be guided through this task through the instructions in this booklet.

Ready, get set, and go!!!Session 1 – Brainstorm!

In this session, your group is to:

Identify and decide on the different materials that are needed to make different parts of the magic mug.

Provide reasons for your group’s choice of materials. When necessary, use science concepts that you have learnt so far to support your group’s decisions.

Make a drawing of your magic mug and label the various parts of the mug. Post individual reflections on the class blog at the end of the day.

Here are some materials for you to consider. After you have decided on the materials, record them in the table below. Consider their properties, including their ability to conduct heat. Provide reasons for each of your choice.

* You may use materials not listed here as well.

Glass Wood Plastic Metal Rubber Styrofoam

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Material:

Part of Mug:

Reason:

Draw your group’s magic mug in the box below.

Label the parts of the mug clearly, together with the materials chosen. Write a brief description of your magic mug on the lines provided.

Brief description:

Item Decided and finalised on the materials for the various

parts of your group’s Magic Mug.

Applied the relevant scientific concepts to explain the choice of materials.

Finalised the design of the magic mug and labelled the various parts and materials used.

Written a short description of your group’s Magic Mug.

Post individual reflections on the class blog at the end of the day.

Well done, group! You have come to the end of Session 1 – Brainstorm!

However, before your group proceed to Session 2, read the following checklist to ensure that you have completed all the necessary tasks. Put a tick against each item that you have completed.

ReThi

Dear students, in the next session, your group will be making your Magic Mug! Do bring along the materials that you have chosen.

Session 2 – Create!

In this session, your group is to:

Make the Magic Mug that your group has designed in Session 1. Decide on a name for your Magic Mug. Take a photograph of the final product that your group has created. Use the class printer to print out the photograph and paste it in this

booklet. Post individual reflections on the class blog at the end of the day.

Name: ________________________________

Paste the photograph of your group’s Magic Mug in the box below. Write the name of your product!

Session 3 – Prepare and Present!

In this session, your group is to:

Prepare a 5-minute presentation to showcase your group’s Magic Mug to the class.

Present your group’s Magic Mug. Post individual reflections on the class blog at the end of the day.

Imagine that your group has an opportunity to sell the Magic Mug to your classmates by making a sales pitch to them.

Your group will be given 15 minutes to prepare for the sales pitch. The presentation should include the following:

Introduction of your Magic Mug (e.g., name, function) Materials used for each part of the mug Rationale of your group’s choice of materials and design Any other relevant information that your group wish to include

Your group may write the notes for your sales pitch on the lines provided below.

Group Photograph!

Congratulations! You have successfully created your own Magic Mug that can keep hot drinks hot, and cold drinks cold for a longer period of time!

Take a photograph of your group together with your Magic Mug, and paste it in the box below!

Consolidation!

In real life, a mug that helps to prevent the loss of heat of hot liquid is called a thermoflask. The following is a diagram of a real thermoflask.

Description of a thermo flask:

Plastic cap prevents water from evaporating.

Vacuum is a space without any matter, including air. It prevents the hot water in the thermo flask from losing heat to the surrounding air outside.

Both the inner and outer surfaces are coated with silver (a type of metal). Silver has a shiny surface, which allows heat from the hot liquid to be reflected back.

Outer case is usually made of materials like plastic as it is a bad conductor of heat, allowing the user to hold it without being scalded.

Adapted from: http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/203368861/500ml_plastic_vacuum_flask.jpg

Adapted from: http://esthermei-physicsproject2009.blogspot.com/