May | 2012 | Molecules of Life

Motilin

The Molecules of Life Project flows creatively with Motilin. Monday, the 15th October in Mrs Grant’s second grade class at Oxford Elementary School, thanks to the Motilin Maidens, Becka Viau (BA, NSCAD) and Karen Schurman (BSc SMU), all eyes were drawn into the intestine as hands squeezed mimicking the peristalsis motion of the digestive tube. [...]

Bradykinin

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006, Halifax, NS, 2nd graders captured a Jararaca snake in Brazil as they were transported to 1949 and the event of the discovery of Bradykinin, thanks to Stephanie Melanson (BSc DAL) and Emmelyne Pornillos (MDes NSCADU). All were intrigued as Emmelyne traced the silhouette of a volunteer student on a large piece [...]

Vasopressin

Friday, November 24th, 2006, Halifax, NS, 2nd graders grasped their kidneys and learned about vasopressin, thanks to an impressive performance by three MLP students Katie Nizio (BSc SMU), Anna Sprague (MFA Concordia) and Cody Stephenson (MFA NSCAD). Starting out with basic questions about water its importance in the body, particularly in blood, Katie brought us [...]

Angiotensin

The Molecules of Life Project feels its blood pressure rise with Angiotensin Wednesday the 15th November in Mrs Grant’s second grade class at Oxford Elementary School, Amy Trottier (BSc DAL) was asked to pump up the peptide jam solo. Providing a solid background on the circulatory system and that most important muscle the heart, Amy [...]

Polymers

May 2, 2012 in Polymers

On Friday, December 2nd, 2011, the 3rd and 4th grade students in Ms. Tanya Steinberg’s class at St. John Bosco School linked together to mimic a polymer chain as they learned about macromolecules, thanks to the team of Amber Stevens (B.A. Studio Arts, Concordia U.) and and Robert Hopewell (M.Sc. Chemistry, U. Montréal). Amber and Robert first explained that polymers are formed by the joining together of smaller molecular units called monomers and that there are both natural and synthetic (human-made) polymers. The students were then given a variety of cards containing samples of various polymers (i.e. nylon, rayon, silk, cellulose, wool…) and asked if they thought they could guess the polymer and if it was natural or synthetic. The students were then asked to identify things made of polymers around the classroom, such as the their wooden desks, papers and cotton T-shirts, all made from the polymer cellulose, which is a chain of sugar monomers. The students made next their own polymer chain by linking their arms together. As their chain wrapped upon itself, the students were asked to imagine the ways polymers could naturally fold together and become entangled.

Exploring a synthetic polymer more closely, the students watched as Robert dissolved polystyrene foam (styrofoam) cups into acetone (nail polish remover) releasing the trapped air in the foam to produce a sticky goo of polystyrene. Examining samples after various stages of drying, the students recognized that the polystyrene could be stretched and molded until it dried into a brittle plastic, which is commonly used to manufacture various things such as CD cases, disposable razors and smoke detector housings.

Experiencing the organized entanglement of polymer chains, the students were taught by Amber how to weave baskets using yarn and paper. Note, yarn may be made from various natural and synthetic polymers such as sheep wool, which is made from a natural protein polymer called keratin, a key component of hair. Wrapping natural wool polymers around to make baskets, the students were exposed to one of the most important crafts in the history of human civilization.

Making cross-links from their experiences in the identification, formation, properties and uses of polymers, the students thanked team polymer for enwrapping them in the magic of Molecules of Life.

For more on the Foam Cup Meltdown see http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/science-projects-for-kids-chemical-reactions1.htm

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Saturn Odyssey

May 2, 2012 in Space

On May 20 and June 17 2011, at events hosted by Caroline Steele (BFA, Concordia University) and Alexandra Aubé (BSc, University of Montreal) the 3rd grade students of the class of Ms.Paula Shuster at FACE School and Ms.Nathalie Ricard School-Paul Bruchési of Montreal have imagined traveling through the 1300 million kilometers that distance the Earth from Saturn.

Through a play written by Caroline with scientific facts explained by Alexandra and in which all students participated, students discovered the centrifugal and centripetal forces, the composition of Saturn and its largest moon Titan as well as the rings of this impressive planet. Indeed, wanting to go to Saturn for a picnic, the chef of the crew was very disappointed to learn that Saturn was made only of hydrogen and helium, two gases that we also find on Earth. Instead, they landed on the moon Titan, where the soil is made of rock and ice but where the temperature is -179 ° C! Meeting the wicked inhabitants of Titan, the crew had to flee. They crossed the 70,000 km of rock and ice that make up Saturn’s rings to take refuge. There, the members of the crew felt very heavy, it was because of the gravitational force, which was much greater since Saturn has nine times the size of the Earth. They also met the Queen of Saturn who offered them to dance to the Saturnian way. The characters rotated a balloon that contained a coin; by rotating the balloon, the coin was subjected to centrifugal force and rolled on the sides of the balloon creating a strange music. The crew then left the planet that Galileo Galilei sighted for the first time in 1610.

After the play, Alexandra went on to answer scientific questions that this act aroused in their minds.

It was through an adventurous and comic odyssey that the molecules of life team had students travel in the space between art and science!

You can access the play from this link: Saturn Odyssey