Construct a Comet

Materials

• 1 rubber mallet to crush dry ice
• 1 canvas tote to place ice in when crushing
• 1 small cooler to store crushed dry ice
• 2 pairs heavy garden gloves per group
• 2 heavy duty kitchen bags per group
• 3 small drinking cups (dixie or plastic) per group
• 1 tsp dirt per group
• 1 tsp Karo dark corn syrup
• 1 tsp ammonia
• 2 cups crushed dry ice (1 lb)
• 1 large plastic mixing bowl
• 1 long handled wooden spoon
• 2 measuring cups
• 2 cups water
• 1 10 inch plastic plate or bowl

Directions

• You may prepare the dry ice earlier, by placing 1 lb. per group into a canvas bag, smashing it with a mallet into powder and small chunks, and placing it into your cooler, or keeping it in your freezer until ready and then bringing to school in your cooler.
• It can be helpful to have extra adults for this activity and to set up all of your materials ahead of time.
• Follow the Build a Comet instruction sheet to complete activity. Download is below.

GBO Suggestion

• Show Birth of a Comet video for lesson introduction and/ or
• Show The Rosetta Mission video for concuding lesson
• For videos see above tab