G-STEM Update
In G-STEM, we are constantly asking questions, such as, ‘Why do all bubbles form spheres?’, ‘What ingredients would make the strongest, largest bubbles?’ and ‘How could these concepts be applied elsewhere?'
This term, G-STEM students explored the physics and geometry behind bubbles, spherical air pockets that (due to surface tension) occupy the smallest possible shape for the volume of air trapped inside. When you blow a bubble, the sphere uses the least amount of energy to enclose a particular volume of air, so that’s why you’ll never find square or triangular bubbles! Students had such a great time exploring all different methods of releasing their bubble to form the desired shape.
Glycerine, one of the ingredients in our bubble recipe, lowers the surface tension of the sphere by spreading apart the distance of the water molecules. Ultimately, creating larger and stronger bubbles! Students tested this by carefully selecting different proportions of ingredients, to test this chemical theory.
Soap molecules have two very different ends: one end attracts water (hydrophilic) and the other end repels water (hydrophobic). When soap mixes with water, the opposite ends of the soap molecules sandwich a thin layer of water between themselves. A similar phenomenon can be witnessed when observing the phospholipid membrane of a living cell. It’s fascinating observing a STEM concept and being able to link it to something else completely unrelated! This is what helps create a robust understanding of how the world around us works.
We will be exploring these concepts and more next term in G-STEM, as well as counting our brine shrimp hatchlings!
