NEEMO

My science classes have had some pretty amazing opportunities over the past two years.  One of the highlights of last year was Skyping with Major Jeremy Hansen on Earth Day. (See more HERE).

With a new start to the school year my students have been diving into learning about the scientific method.  We have been learning about Jeremy Hansen's training in preparation for an amazing adventure under the sea with NEEMO (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations).  

Jeremy put a call out to people to come up with some experiments he can do "under pressure".

@Astro_Jeremy @csa_asc My class has come up with a few good ideas! We will be sending you them ASAP! Do you have gummy bears under the sea?

— Alberta Sci Teacher (@AmandaGMerriman) September 5, 2014

@Astro_Jeremy @AmandaGMerriman @csa_asc Some of our more hardy divers have already been diving there! #Gummy pic.twitter.com/SGGKaq6T8N

— Angelina (@LiNa8294) September 6, 2014

Click on this photo to see the video request he made.

Last year we did an experiment using gummy bears to demonstrate osmosis.  Please click HERE for more details about the experiment and osmosis.)  

My students wanted to take it one step further and find out if the rate of osmosis is different when the experiment is performed under the sea, at sea-level, and maybe one day even up aboard the ISS.  

So here is the experiment.  We measured the length of a gummy bear and then placed it in a baggy of water.  I normally do this in a petri-dish or bowl but we were thinking that if this experiment to be run with as little equipment as possible.  We measured the bear every half an hour for a three hour period.  If I were to do this again I would perhaps measure once an hour for half of a day.  We decided to only do the experiment with tap water instead of both tap water and salt water because it would make it more complicated to do aboard Aquarius, although the results would be interesting.  Finally we would compare the growth/size of our observations here on dry land and on Aquarius after the same amount of time.  

  

After 2 hours

After 3 hours

Our hypothesis is that the rate of osmosis will be greater (faster) aboard Aquarius due to the difference in pressure (despite it being regulated for those aboard).  If it were to be done, hypothetically, on the ISS we would hypothesis that the rate would be slower due micro-gravity and the lack of pressure (despite it being regulated for those aboard).

The applications of these observations are important as we use these concepts when we look at agriculture, water purification, and the needs to the human body.  These are all vital to learning how to expand our reach into the universe.  

Read more about:

• NEEMO
• Jeremy Hansen on Twitter
• Canadian Space Agency NEEMO Mission 19