?International Presentation of Research

March 3, 2013

Research Team:Dr. Carl MahlmannDr. Karen L. Alley

http://johnclarkeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/300px-BH_LMC.png

http://www.123rf.com/photo_2825677_giant-statues-at-abu-simbel-egypt.html

http://gotowall.com/show_wallpaper.php?id=203

http://goldenegypttours.net/just-the-pyramids/.html

?Research Team:Dr. Carl Mahlmann – University of AlexandriaDr. Karen L. Alley – University of Cairo

Part 1: Abstract

1) Motivation / Problem Statement:

• Further scientific understanding.• Practical applications for humanity.• Reveal ways in which we may

conduct similar research in the future.

Part 1: Abstract

2) Methods / Procedure / Approach:

• Observing.• Measuring.• Interpreting.• Predicting.• Communicating / Collaborating.

Part 1: Abstract

3) Results / Findings / Product:

• Ideas generated for better ways of conducting future research.

Part 1: Abstract

4) Conclusions / Implications:

• Getting closer to successful discovery through process of elimination.

• Building scientific community through collaboration.

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Part 2: Methodology

Participants: Dr. Carl Mahlmann / Dr. Karen L. AlleyProcedures: Container manipulation.Instruments: Personal senses of touch / hearing.

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Container rotated anticipating that object inside would move along bottom of width.Photos: Dr. Mahlmann manipulating box, taken by Dr. Alley

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Part 2: Methodology

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Container rotated anticipating that object inside would move along bottom of length.Photos: Dr. Mahlmann manipulating box, taken by Dr. Alley

Participants: Dr. Carl Mahlmann / Dr. Karen L. AlleyProcedures: Container manipulation.Instruments: Personal senses of touch / hearing.

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Part 2: Methodology

1

Container rotated anticipating that object inside would move along bottom of depth.Photos: Dr. Mahlmann manipulating box, taken by Dr. Alley

Participants: Dr. Carl Mahlmann / Dr. Karen L. AlleyProcedures: Container manipulation.Instruments: Personal senses of touch / hearing.

Part 2: Methodology

Participants: Dr. Carl Mahlmann / Dr. Karen L. AlleyProcedures: Container manipulation.Instruments: Ruler. (US Customary Measurement System.)

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Measuring Length, Width & Depth of container.Photos: Dr. Mahlmann measuring box, taken by Dr. Alley

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Part 3: Data Researcher: Dr. Carl Mahlmann / U of A

Observations Conclusions1) Item in box is heavier than box itself. 1) Item is made of dense material – e.g. wood / heavy plastic.

2) Item slides in every direction (as opposed to rolling.) 2) Item is flat.

3) Item size: Box measures ≈ 8” x 10 ½” x 2”. Based on the amount of time it takes the item to slide in the box:

a) across 8” width’b) across 10 ½” length

c) across 2” depth – item doesn’t slide much at all across bottom of depth, but impact is felt near middle of box – like item is tilting.

3) Item measures:a) a little over ½ the width (≈ 5”)b) about ½ the length (≈ 5”)c) is about ½ the depth (≈ 1”)Based on above, item’s total size ≈ 5” x 5” x 1”.

4) When box is turned / shaken, it feels like only 1 item is sliding.

4) There is 1 item in the box.

5) When box is turned, though, multiple impacts are felt / heard – like 1 person “double-stepping” (“ka-thunk, ka-thunk.”)

5) While there is only 1 item in the box, it contains multiple moving parts.

6) As I continue to turn / rattle box, I’m hearing more than 2 “ka-thunks”; more like 3: “thunk-thunk-thunk…” – like I’ve rattled something else loose since I first began shaking the box.

6) Based on my observations, I’m concluding that the item is either: a) a small wooden or heavy plastic box with 2 drawers, or;b) 3 rectangular pieces of wood or heavy plastic joined

together at a corner with something acting as a fulcrum upon which the pieces pivot.

Part 3: Data Researcher: Dr. Karen L. Alley / U of C

Observations ConclusionsBased on the dimensions of the box and the amount of “slide” room I hear inside, I think the object is about 6 inches long, and 4-5 wide.

By tipping the box back and forth, listening for the object to bump back and forth, I think it is maybe about 1.5” inches thick.

Perhaps it could be a book, based on these observations

I need to tilt the box to a fairly steep angle to make it slide.

Therefore, I infer the surface is not extremely smooth.

Sounds like it is wooden, or maybe a heavy plastic. Does not sound like metal or glass.

Could it be blocks?

I clearly hear a double bump as it moves about in the box. Ba-bump. But they consistently move with the same pattern and speed. Never Baaaaaa- bump. Always: ba-bump. So I think it is one object with a part that can move, rather than multiple objects.

A child’s toy?

As a slide from corner to corner, I can hear three distinct bumps.

This makes me think that the item has three parts but at least two are lying side by side in the box, but I do not know what it could be.

Part 3: Data Analysis

Reasons for Conclusions

• Sounds / Sensations / Measurements, lead us to believe that object is:

1) heavier than container.

2) flat.

3) composed of dense material.

4) singular, but composed of multiple parts.

5) ≈ 5” x 5” x 1”.

Part 3: Conclusions

Final Conclusion:

?

Part 3: Conclusions

Challenges:

Part 4: Extensions

Ideas for other types of experiments to gather more data:

• Weighing using precision instrument.• X-Ray / MRI.

• Puncturing / inserting.

• Micro-camera.

Part 5: Appendix

Ways to use Mystery Box activity with students:

• Math:

1) Measurement: Weight / Length / Volume. (Both US Customary & Metric Systems.

2) Estimation

Part 5: Appendix

Ways to use Mystery Box activity with students:

• Language Arts:

1) Descriptive writing: Use precise / vivid language to describe observations.

2) Predicting:Make predictions based on observations.

? & A

References

Slide 1: [Black Hole - Photo]. Retrieved March 3, 2013, from: URL (

http://johnclarkeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/300px-BH_LMC.png)

Slide 2: [Giant Statues at Abu-Simbel, Egypt - Photo]. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from: URL (

http://www.123rf.com/photo_2825677_giant-statues-at-abu-simbel-egypt.html)

1. Canadian Museum of Civilization (http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egintroe.shtml)

Slide 3:

[Sphinx- Photo]. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from: URL (http://gotowall.com/show_wallpaper.php?id=203)

Slide 4: [Pyramids of Giza - Photo].

Retrieved March 2, 2013, from: URL (http://goldenegypttours.net/just-the-pyramids/.html)

2. Canadian Museum of Civilization (http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egcivile.shtml)

References

Slide 5 : Original photograph taken by Dr. Carl Mahlmann, March 2, 2013

Slides 10 – 13: Original photographs taken by Dr. Karen L. Alley, March 2, 2013

Slide 11: 3. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed132683.html

Slide 18:

[Dollar Sign - Clipart]. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from: URL (http://georgetownlistings.ca/images/shiny-gold-dollar-sign.png)

[Hour Glass - Clipart]. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from: URL (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_taArODKjZAQ/TOs5PGasgwI/AAAAAAAAA20/u0BperY04ik/s200/j0435235.png)

[Baby / Plant - Photo]. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from: URL (http://jandsbabysupplies.org.uk/)

Slide 21: 4. Common Core State Standards Initiative (www.corestandard.org)