Learning Target - I can use everyday materials to design a cup that uses the best design features I know about to keep a drink as cold as the store bought cups.

When buying one of our cups, I recommend the first model. It performed much better than the second model in all but the diameter and environmental tests. In the normal light test, the original cup only had a temperature change of 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit, while the second cup changed by 1 degree. The bright light test was no different, with the first cup only warming up by 1.2 degrees and the second cup heating up 1.9 degrees. The price test also doesn’t work in favor of the second cup, with it being a whole $0.04 more expensive per cup, the original price being 35 cents, and the new one being 39 cents. The first cup uses aluminum foil on the outside to prevent light from entering the cup by reflecting it instead of absorbing its heat energy. It also uses two cups in total, a paper cup outside to provide more particles for heat to pass through on its way to the liquid inside, and a plastic cup to hold the beverage itself. The fact that the second cup had more change in temperature than the first cup was surprising to us, because we thought the added layer of aluminum foil would slow the transfer of energy, but it must have insulated heat instead. 

Cold Cup Challenge Final Reflection 

What is one thing that you learned that will stick with you about this project?

Do not put two layers of aluminum foil, it insulates the heat too much and warms it up more.

What was the most challenging part of this project? Which character trait did you use to overcome this challenge? 

The most challenging part was missing three days and having to catch up, but I think I handled it pretty well and used responsibility to stay focused.

What is one thing you are proud of about this project? 

I am proud of passing all of the tests twice, with both models of our cups.

If you worked in a group: What did you do to help your team succeed, and what could you have done better?

I think I helped a lot with the writing element of this project, even if I missed a lot of the building.

If you worked alone: How did you manage your time, stay motivated, and complete the tasks on your own?

I didn't work alone.