For our science learning this week, we have thought about materials and how their insulating properties can be used in space! Tasked with the project to find the best material to insulate astronauts gloves while walking the International Space Station, we planned and conducted an experiment to test insulation of materials.

Knowing last week that conductivity meant the ability to transfer heat, this week we learnt that insulation means to block heat from passing through, so which material could be used to block heat from leaving an astronaut’s glove and block cold from entering the glove?

We put three materials to the test; bubble wrap, foil and felt. Ensuring we carried out a fair test, we measured hot water into three beakers and wrapped each one in a different material. Measuring the temperature three times, we then calculated which beaker had lost the least heat and was therefore wrapped in the most insulating material.

Have a look and see what we found out!