Objectives:
1.) To conduct a controlled experiment.
2.) To construct a frog that jumps far and high, as well as aesthetically pleasing.
3.) To compare results with other classmates and construct a graph of the cumulative data.
Materials:
- photo paper
- cardstock
- index cards
- tissue paper
- paint
- pipe cleaners
- hot glue gun/ glue stick
- ruler
Procedures:
- The first frog[not pictured] was made out of a 3x5in index card to get the basic concept of how the folding works. It barely moved 5cm from its starting point and it didn’t even leave the ground…so it just kind of scooted from one point to the next.
- The second frog was made of a 11x14cm piece of photo paper and it jumped approximately 26cm from its starting point and approx. 10cm high. Although it went farther than the first frog, its legs got tired after the first couple tries and a better model needed to be made.
- The third frog was made of a 4.5x7cm piece of cardstock paper; it jumped approximately 17cm from its starting point, but only around 5cm high. This model got tired after the first jump…but if it were made of a more “springy” material, the smaller model could travel further than the larger ones.
- The final attempt to build a far-leaping frog was made out of a 4.5x7cm piece of photo paper. It jumped approximately 44cm from its starting point and approx. 12cm high. This frog was tested several times and its legs never tired. Two more of the same model were replicated after this one and were decorated with green paint.
Summary:
1.) Julie Rogers won both categories of “long” and “high” jump; her frog jumped 54 centimeters high and 122 centimeters far. Geneveive on the other hand, could barely get her frog to move, but the one she entered for the beauty contest took first place on table number one.
2.) Julie’s frog was made of what looked like origami paper and was fairly thick. The density of the frog’s legs is what made it jump high AND far. Geneveive’s frog was big, pink, and wore a crown with jewels on its head…our group chose this one because it really stood out among the others on the table.
3.) I constructed three prototypes before I settled on a frog that could be used in all three categories. The first one was made of an index card, the second was made of half a sheet of photo paper, the third one was made of a small piece of cardstock, and the final frog was made of a small piece of photo paper. The last frog was able to jump the farthest and the highest of all the models I constructed, so I made two more of the same kind. At first I was going to make a frog for each category, but I decided I would try to combine all three into one.
4.) If I could re-do this project to make my results more successful, I would have constructed a frog for each category. Although my frog(s) were able to get second place on all three categories within my group, I believe I could have gotten first place on at least one category if I had focused on one trait for each frog. I was so focused on it being able to jump far, high, and still look good. I had a lot of fun during this competition (maybe I got a little TOO competitive)…BUT I WANTED TO WIN!!!!!! =)
Final summary:
1.) Kinetic energy is a major part of physics; the structure of the frog’s legs and the material the frog was made of was the determining factor of how high and far it jumped. I learned a lot about motion, potential and kinetic energy, and acceleration through this project/competition.
2.) I spent approximately ten hours on this project. When it was first assigned to the class all I did was read the handout, but I didn’t start making a frog until the Thursday before the deadline. Once I started working on it, I put in a few hours every day researching, finding different materials to use, typing, and folding frogs.
3.) To go up and beyond I created this blog and I made a little pond for my three frogs.
4.) From today’s competition, I learned that science projects aren’t so bad after all. I had a lot of fun and I can’t wait for the next project!
5.) I believe I’ve earned an A because my frogs traveled the 2nd greatest distance among the frogs on my table…and I tried to make my frogs look cute too. I’m also proud of myself for not doing them the night before they were due too!
-Jenna Miranda
