1. THE
UNDERDOG
By Lexi Walsh and Maddi Savedra

2. THE CAN CHALLENGE
The objective of the Can Challenge was to build a insulator
box (10 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm) that can keep a can of boiling
water hot for 20 minutes. We researched different materials
and designs that would possibly work. Then we researched
the materials that we wanted to use in further depth and
made a design. Then we got the materials and started to
build the insulator. After it was completed, we held it in a
box of ice water for 20 minutes while the can of boiling
water was inside the insulator.

3. MATERIALS USED:
- ALUMINUM FOIL
- COTTON HAT
- FELT
- ELECTRIC TAPE
- STYROFOAM
- HOT GLUE GUN
- SCISSORS
- BOX KNIFE
- SMALL SAW

4. ALUMINUM FOIL
Aluminum foil is a man made material that has many uses, as
well as being a good insulator. Aluminum is made of
Aluminum, Silicon, and iron. Aluminum foil traps heat and
moisture, there for creating a good insulator. Aluminum is used
to keep things warm, such as food. As well, many insulators
that have won in past years contain Aluminum foil.
http://green-mom.com/home-and-personal-
care/plastic-and-foil-wrap-alternatives.html

5. STYROFOAM
Styrofoam is packed with bubble, leaving it with a
small amount of room to conduct heat. The bubbles
are too small and that means there isn't enough space
to set up a convection current. The heat can only
transfer slowly.

6. FELT
Felt is a man-made material that is a versatile fabric
that will works well as an insulator. “Felt has many
air pockets so that air can come in but not escape.”
As well, In the Insulator Lab Felt had the least
temperature change with the hot water.
http://myrainasunshine.blogspot.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt
2012/03/felt-flower-love.html

7. COTTON HAT
Cotton works well as an insulator because it
works well with moisture, which produces a
very good condensation control. Cotton also
will trap a layer of air around the can, then as
the air heats up it will keep the can warm.
http://www.ebcu.com/p-infant-
http://about.hm.com/content/hm/AboutSection/en cotton-hat-177138.html
/About/Sustainability/Commitments/Use-
Resources-Responsibly/Raw-Materials/Cotton.html

8. PROCESS
1. Research materials and designs you
might want to use
2.Research materials in further depth
that you might want to use
3.Make a design
4.Buy the materials needed

9. PROCESS (CONT.)
5. Cut and measure the 6. Wrap the
Styrofoam to match the Styrofoam in
template using the saw Aluminum Foil

10. PROCESS (CONT.)
7. Tape all of the sides 8. Then make layers of
together with the the cotton hat and
electrical tape aluminum foil for the
bottom of the insulator

11. PROCESS (CONT.)
9. Then make the top out of Aluminum Foil,
connecting them using the hot glue gun
10. Then connect the bottom and the top to
the four sides
11. Put felt on the top of the four sides were the
top of the insulator is is

12. PROCESS (CONT.)
12. Poke a hole through the top of the insulator for the
thermometer
13. Put the thermometer in the insulator
14. Put a can of boiling water into the insulator
15. Put the insulator in a plastic bag while holding it down
in the ice water for 20 minutes