The group projects included the study of conservation of mass, pressure build up in a closed system, volcanoes, all of which involved the reaction between vinegar and baking soda, and heat transfer. The basic make up of the project included a Power Point presentation, a written report, a poster, and the actual experiment, with each group being allowed to add their own twist. Along the way, the groups were required to prepare Gantt charts to show their progress to Dr. Whiting.
Three of the groups studied gases, but in different ways. Two of these groups showed how the carbon dioxide created from adding vinegar to baking soda can be used to propel objects, the Regulators propelling a ping pong ball, while the Glowing Pickles propelled a balloon. The ChemE Crusaders used the traditional reaction to show that gas actually has mass, and that mass is conserved. The last group, The Log Masters, used the reaction to demonstrate the chemical engineering principles behind a volcano and its eruption. The only group not to use the baking soda and vinegar were the Engineers@Large. This group showed the properties of heat transfer by making water appear to not boil in a hot pan, and by boiling water in a paper cup.
On Friday, the groups gave a brief overview of their projects, using their power point presentations to do this, and then actually performed the experiment for the older students, who in turn filled out evaluation forms of the presentation. These forms were designed to let the groups know how their projects performed overall. The projects will now be handed over to the Mobile Engineering Lab for future use.
Submitted by:
Sage Hiibel
Class of 2003