Challenge
Foam Activity:
What does the Challenge Activity look
like?
1
The first thing that comes up is that people have to
decide how to make their batch of foam. Often, people
will guess that the more soap they add, the stronger
the suds will be
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But
this ends up with foam so heavy that it oozes off the plate
before it can build up any height! |

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At
this point, a group with foam that was too thick might need
to start over. Simply adding more water or soap to the batch
is unlikely to come up with a mixture that would work. |
2
Once a group has a mixture they are able to build with, they
are likely to need to carefully sculpt their foam into
a tower shape. |

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3
People may realize that they need light foam on top, and are
left with their heavier foam at the bottom of their bowl.
As they look around to see if anyone else has light foam,
they may see a waste bucket full of foam from the previous
group. This will have very light foam on top, which they
may ask if they can use. |

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You
have to decide if you want them to be able to simply scoop
this easily stackable foam up, or if you want to ask them
how they think the foam got that way and if they can make
it themselves. |

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Some
people will cheat (this person is piling foam on paper cups).
They almost always know they are cheating but are ususally
frustrated, or simply curious if they can meet the challenge
even by using other materials. |

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4
Other people, usually the patient ones, succeed! |

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What
does the Foam Guided Investigation look like?
What does the Foam Inquiry Activity look
like?
Back to the main Foam page
Institute for Inquiry Home
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