Evaporation Investigation Mission 7 Project from Thomas Edison Energysmart Charter School - NJ Thomas Edison Energysmart Charter School - NJ

Co-Principal Investigators : Kareena Kapadia - 5th Grade Meghan Gajula- 5th Grade Natalia Arevalo- 5th Grade Mrs. Ghosh, TEECS- Teacher Facilitator Mr. Yildiz- Principal Mr. Nagaraju Gajula- Parent Advisor Evaporation Investigation Franklin Park NJ Mission 7

The Question Does microgravity have any effect on the rate of water evaporation from our human body and foods? We know water evaporation depends on many factors, mainly: Relative Humidity of the air Temperature of the air and the water Surface area of the water Pressure on the water Velocity of the wind/air over the water

Rationale Evaporation constantly happens Water evaporates from everything, from fruits to vegetables to our body Astronauts live in space for long periods of time It is important to understand how evaporation differs in microgravity It is essential to know how long fruits and vegetables will stay fresh in space for future colonization

Materials We will use common materials we find in our household to conduct this experiment Packets of non saturated silica gel WaterCotton Small cups to weigh silica gel, cotton, and water Water dropper, scissors and tweezers Weighing scale that measure to nearest hundredth of a gram

Experiment In our experiment, we will simulate water evaporation, and use humidity as a driver In the FME, we will place cotton containing a few drops of water, and Silica Gel The silica gel will absorb moisture from the air within the FME, and forces the water from the cotton to evaporate We will run this investigation in ISS and on earth

Analysis Using the recorded data, we will calculate the weight of water evaporated by weighing different materials. Water evaporated is Difference between weight of water before and after OR Difference between weight of silica gel before and after

Conclusion Outcome 1: Evaporation rate is different between ISS and Earth Microgravity has some effect on water evaporation Outcome 2: Evaporation rate is same between ISS And Earth Microgravity has NO effect on water evaporation

Supported By: We are thank full to all the members of the community, sponsors and supports of SSEP for making this happen. TEECS staff administration and students TEECS PTO NJ Department of Education Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Washington DC Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) Subaru of America, Inc., Big Kid Science NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium Carnegie Institution of Washington Carnegie Academy of Science Education