Exeter-Milligan sixth graders are diving into the science of energy through an engaging, hands-on project. Throughout their unit, students have explored various types of energy, as well as the principles of energy transformation and transfer. To conclude the unit, the students were tasked with building a heat shield designed to protect a "crew member"—a piece of chocolate—from the extreme heat experienced by a space shuttle during its reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, often referred to as the "7 minutes of terror."
The project challenged students to carefully select materials that would best insulate the chocolate from the intense heat, while also adhering to additional criteria and constraints. This hands-on activity not only reinforced their understanding of energy concepts but also encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving skills.