Is the Science behind Superheroes fact or fiction?

Is the Science behind Superheroes fact or fiction?

SUPERHEROES What do Barry Allen (The Flash), Tony Stark (Ironman) and I, Bruce Wayne, (Batman) have in common? IN SCIENCE The Superheroes in No, the answer is not we are all Superheroes! We all apply investigation to the research necessary in our work. We ask many questions and find answers for them! Uncover the real science behind the super abilities and cool technological gadgets. Bring out the super scientist in you! Science Project is a fun-filled journey into the world of science. Using the skills gained in Physics, Chemistry and Biology you can investigate and create a research report, oral or visual presentation about a chosen topic in science and combine it with a superhero or supervillain of your choice. Projects submitted can be in the form of: 1. An Experiment - a scientific procedure used to test a hypothesis, answer a question, or prove a fact/particular theory or to explain the conditions necessary for a phenomenon to occur. Two types of experiments that can be used are simple experiments (Example: The aim of the experiment is to find whether a plant grows better if you spray it with water. You study how the plant is growing without being sprayed and then compare the growth after you start spraying it) and controlled experiments (Example: The aim of the experiment is to find whether a plant grows better if it is sprayed with water. Two plants are grown, one is sprayed with water (the experimental group) and the other is not sprayed with water (the control group). This is the SCIENTIFIC METHOD and it is the way we find out about things. Check out the blue bordered panel on the left under Batman. When conducting your experiment, it is important to describe the materials and method used and to note all results obtained. Diagrams, graphs and/or infographics can be used to explain the results achieved. A power point presentation is optional and meant for added value. Remember to give a superhero or supervillain theme to your experiment.. A Practical/ Visual Presentation - Example a functioning periscope, how electricity is generated and conducted or how to build a simple mechanical arm. The demonstration should include information on how it was made and how it works. Photographs, graphics and tables, along with written information should be included. A power point presentation is optional and meant for added value. Do not forget to include the superhero or supervillain abilities or gadgets you are inspired by.

This booklet is meant as a guideline to create your project. Look out for the caption in each chapter with topic ideas to choose from as well as hints, information and fun facts about science and superheroes. Criteria for the Project submission: 1 The deadline for submissions will be set by your individual school or NGO. Official deadline for the submission at Esplora is at noon on Friday, 6th October 018. You also need the submission form, signed by a parent/legal guardian which will be submitted together with your report. You will be grouped in one of two separate groups of judging, as follows: Junior Group: Students in Year 5 and 6 during scholastic year 018/019. Senior Group: Students in Forms 1 to (grades 7 to 10) during scholastic year 018/019. Therefore, for example, if you are a Form 1(grade 7) student by the deadline date of 6th October 018 you are part of the Senior Group and your project will be judged with projects of other students from the senior Group only. Students can team up for this project with a maximum of three () students in each team. The documentation/report must include the first page from the template report provided and the same titles. Any further subtitles or sections are welcome. The report must be typed out in an A size paper document and should not exceed 00 words in total for the Junior Group and 500 words in total for the Senior Group respectively. If you have any questions or need help in developing the project, we will be happy to assist you. Please feel free to contact us, with the help of an adult, on euromediaforum@gmail.com The submission form and the Project Template are available on the Superheroes in Science website http://superheroscience.info/ Final Judging and award of prizes Use your imagination and scientific mind to win your place during the SUPERHEROES IN SCIENCE event at Esplora Interactive Science Centre on November 10th -11th together with all the other finalist projects! 1 1. Two projects from the Junior Group and two projects from the Senior Group, a total of four projects, will be chosen as finalists from each school or NGO and the selection of these finalists will be done by the individual schools or NGO respectively.. The final judging at the Esplora event itself will be carried out by a panel of three judges from Euro Media Forum and Esplora.. A winner and a runner up will be chosen from the Junior Group and the Senior Group respectively. The Winner and runner up projects can be an individual effort (one student) or a team (a maximum of three students).. Superhero Prizes will be awarded to the winner and the runner up. If a team wins, the individual students within the team will each receive a prize. In addition, a Certificate of Participation will be given to all finalists at Esplora during the event congratulating you on the amazing work you have done! Good luck to everyone!! NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES, SOME WEAR LAB COATS! So finally, don t forget to research many superheroes or villains and see how they combine real science with their everyday life or superpowers. Then choose your topic, follow the steps for scientific research and write a report!

Real Scientists vs Superhero Scientists An interesting fact is that many of the superheroes are scientists by profession with sound knowledge of the basis of physics, biology and chemistry: 1 Which scientist inspires you the most? Recreate or research one of their experiments Make a presentation to explain their work Dr. Bruce Banner, a.k.a. THE INCREDIBLE HULK a nuclear physicist who specialises in gamma radiation and its effects on living tissue. An accident at the site of a test, led to his becoming the Hulk. For a long period after that, while in the form of Bruce Banner, he looked for scientific ways to rid himself of the transformation. Marie Curie Marie discovered radium and polonium; these two substances are radioactive. She won the Nobel Prize with her husband, Pierre Curie. She later won another Nobel Prize, which made her the only woman to win the award in two fields of Science, Physics and Chemistry. Albert Einstein In 1915 he published his Theory of Relativity. In 1919 the theory was proven right by an experiment. He became famous literally overnight. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 191. Einstein came up with theories about light, matter, gravity, space, and time. He came up with the world s most famous equation that is E = mc. Nikola Tesla was an inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and physicist. He had an idea of transmitting energy without wires through the air which is now becoming a reality. He is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. His best known invention was an electric motor that could run well on AC power. Tony Stark, a.k.a. IRON MAN an industrialist and mechanical engineer of incredible ingenuity and inventive genius, whose technology helps him fight crime. Ray Palmer, a.k.a. ATOM Professor of Physics at Ivy University; able to shrink his body to varying degrees, even to sub-atomic level, and able to alter his mass to near infinite levels. He specialises in matter compression as a means to fight overpopulation, famine and other world problems.

Space is dimensional. 1 The formation of planets and their different characteristics Create a model of the solar system (group 1 and ) What is a satellite? (group 1 and ) Galileo Galilei For many years scientists believed that the solar system revolved around the Earth. But Galileo was the first scientist to prove that this wasn t actually correct, in fact the solar system revolved around the sun. He also invented an improved telescope so that he could gaze far into space. He was the first to see Jupiter s moons and then realised that our moon was covered full of craters. 7 6 5 Why do planets have different colours? (group 1 and ) The different types of forces (group) Isaac Newton and the Laws of Motion and Gravity (group 1 and ) How does a telescope work? (group 1 and ) FORCES Newton s Laws of Motion A body at rest remains at rest A body in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by a force For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction Isaac Newton developed the Theory of Gravity, the Laws of Motion; a new type of mathematics called calculus, and made breakthroughs in the reflecting telescope. The Aliens THE SOLAR SYSTEM Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer, mathematician, translator, artist, and physicist among other things. He is best known as the first astronomer to pose the idea of a heliocentric solar system a system in which the planets and planetary objects orbit the sun. Let everything revolve around you. Kryptonians like Superman and Supergirl absorb solar radiation which powers their feats of superhuman ability. Alien Life- MARTIAN MAN HUNTER- J onn J onzz possesses a wide variety of abilities native to the Green Martian race such as superhuman strength, durability, flight, regeneration, shape-shifting, intangibility, invisibility, telepathy, telekinesis, extrasensory input, and optic blasts.

Computer Technology 1 The Binary System (Group ) What are the basic components in a computer? (Group ) Is true Artificial Intelligence possible? What is being done in this field? (Group ) What are the advances made in Robotics? (Group ) Guardians of the Binary Computers use a binary system, storing and adding information as a series of electronic pulses. The super computer in the movie Superman III was so smart it took a life of its own. BRAINIAC an archenemy of Superman who is also a super intelligent computer of incalculable ability. Star-lord I think we re entering the binary system! The computers in the Bat cave that are used to fight crime. Dr. Otto Octavius a.k.a. DR OCTOPUS vs SPIDERMAN My tentacles were designed to conduct experiments from a safe distance, but this is making good use of them!! you are no match for me, Spiderman!, your strength is merely that of a spider, but mine comes from electronicallypowered, telescopic, titaniumsteel tentacles ULTRON Ultron s artificial intelligence (Avengers Age of Ultron) Superlight, super strong titanium alloys are used for jet fighters and artificial limbs as they are tough, light and heat resistant. The visual appearance and powers of Ultron include superhuman levels of strength, speed, stamina, durability, and reflexes; flight at subsonic speeds. Ultron also has the ability to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy for use or storage. Ultron has a genius intellect, a capacity for creative intelligence and self-repair, superhuman cybernetic analytical capabilities, and the ability to process information and make calculations with superhuman speed and accuracy. I m HELPLESS! CAN T FIGHT ALL THOSE ARMS AT ONCE! DON T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT! HE S JUST TOYING WITH ME!

Villains forget that Batman uses a voice command device (VCD) to control the Bat Mobile from a distance. At my order, it can even operate the ejector seat in case of danger. Batman relies on science and engineering to gain advantage over his enemies. With his state-of-the-art suit, belt and vehicles, Batman takes on Gotham city s criminal underworld with dazzling technology. AND 1 How do these technologies work? Voice activation, night vision, stealth technology, principle of gyro, ejector seats, bullet proof vests, gliders, cybernetic and communicator helmets (groups 1 and ) Arc Reactor A sustainable energy efficient reactor designed to attach itself magnetically to Tony Stark s heart Armour The suit is made up of several layers of metal such as iron and titanium Flight System Iron Man uses a solar-powered flight system, which is balanced fromthe palm repulsors Batteries Beta particle powered batteries The Helmet light and resistant The suit gives Tony Stark great abilities, it makes Iron-Man 10 times stronger than a human and can lift tonnes! Repulsion Rays from his palms he can project energy to destroy Missile Launcher can fire long range missiles The suit includes standard Batman gear like 1 a two-way radio in the neck cowl, a fireball shooter in the wrist cuffs a respirator in his mask, a video screen built into one of the arm gauntlets Flaps equal to the flaps of a plane, these help Iron-Man fly with great precision Flexibility in articulation IRON MAN is a superhero who wears a suit of armour. His alter ego is Tony Stark. a grappling gun in the belt a bat tracking beacon (which magnetically attaches to a car) 5 smoke bombs, ball bearing grenades His technology is always very advanced, and Iron Man is his greatest invention. He uses the arc reactor (or repulsor technology ) as a form of sustainable energy to save the world. 6 a folding Bataran, a camera

Optical fibres allow huge amounts of information to be transmitted at the speed of light. Light is the fastest thing in the universe, travelling at a speed of 99,79,58 m/sec. 1 5 Radioactive materials and their uses (Group ) Can we reach the speed of light? (Groups 1 and ) The components of an electric circuit (Groups 1 and ) Uses of Electrolysis (Group ) Transfer of energygood and bad conductors of heat (Groups 1 and ) Static Electricity THE FANTASTIC FOUR The Fantastic Four got their diverse powers when their spacecraft was flying through a cloud of cosmic radiation. Susan Richards, (Invisible Woman) has the power of invisibility and force fields. Johnny Storm (Human Torch) has the ability to burn his body, fly and throw fire. Reed Richards (Mr Fantastic) is able to stretch his body like elastic. Ben Grimm (The Thing), has rock solid and impenetrable skin. Natural occurring Plasma is found in highly charged weather phenomenon such as lightning bolts. The Spider descended between the rays just as they were activated, And as the radioactive spider fell dying, it bit the nearest living thing, Which happened to be Peter Parker aka SPIDERMAN KILLER FROST Bad conductor of heat Man-made plasma HEAT WAVE Good conductor of heat is used in street lights and neon signs. RADIOACTIVE RADIUM generates so much radioactive energy it glows in the dark...and IT IS THAT GAMMA RAY INFUSION WHICH, AT TIMES OF STRESS, TRANSFORMS DR BRUCE BANNER INTO THE RAGING, RAMPING HULK! A CREATURE WHOSE STRENGTH.. THE FLASH The speed of the Flash is,0,000 mph. The speed of sound is about 761.1 mph... Putting Barry Allen at Mach 9, or 9 times the speed of sound. The Van de Graaf generator produces high voltage electricity; discharges cause hair to stand on end...increases GEOMETRICALLY AS HIS AWESOME ANGER GROWS!

THE EARTH MAGNETO AND POLARIS masters of magnetism-can manipulate metals. MAGNET A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. 1 ElectroMagnetism properties of metals and non-metals (Groups 1 and ) Explain the formation of clouds and lightning (Groups 1 and ) 5 STORM Storm s precise control over the atmosphere allows her to create special weather effects. Storm has also the ability to control natural forces that include cosmic storms, solar wind, ocean currents, and the electromagnetic field. She has demonstrated the ability to separate water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen via electrolysis, allowing her to breathe underwater. The importance of climate control tornadoes (Groups 1 and ) Extreme weather (Groups 1 and ) Crystal Growth (Group ) Properties of Metal and steel ELECTRO gains his super powers when struck by lightning. CLOUD FORMATION Properties of metals- Steel is an extremely hard metal alloy but not for the Man of Steel-SUPERMAN! THOR the Thunder God can also manipulate weather, storms, thunder and lightning. TORNADOES CRYSTAL FORMATION Superman loses all his super abilities when exposed to a Kryptonite crystal.

Whales communicate with echolocation The various forms of communication within the world of nature and how humans have learnt to communicate with animals and fish. BATS 1 Echolocation and Acoustics (group ) AQUAMAN Aquaman is the telepathic ruler of Atlantis and the Earth s oceans, an Atlantean with incredible strength and speed as well as the ability to command all sea-life. The ultimate environmentalist, he safeguards the oceans from pollution. His unique physiology allows him to survive on land and at the ocean s greatest depths of pressure and temperature. Propulsion (group ) Sound Propagation through different mediums (groups 1 and ) Ocean Currents (groups 1 and ) Bats use echolocation just like whales. ANGEL The flying member of the X-Men HAWK GIRL Hawk Girl emulates bird flight. 5 Whale Migration (groups 1 and ) 6 Properties of Water (groups 1 and ) BIRD FLIGHT DAREDEVIL When Daredevil went blind, his other senses become superhumanly acute. He could tell whether someone was lying by listening to the person s heartbeat. He can recognise people by scent alone. Daredevil uses his superhuman sense of hearing as an aid in processing, filtering and interpreting the feedback of his radar/sonar sense to actually give him a D picture of his surroundings. 7 Mechanisms of Flight (groups 1 and ) Bird flight is one of the most complex forms of locomotion in the animal kingdom. They have developed varied forms of wings and varied forms of flight. The fundamentals of bird flight are similar to those of aircraft, in which the aerodynamic forces sustaining flight are lift and drag.

Meet the superhumans with extraordinary abilities and the Superheroes they compare to. HAVE TO WORK FAST! Thanks to my super stretch ability, I can multi task! SPIDER WOMAN - Tori Allen By the time Tori was 11 she had set a national outdoor climbing record. Don t do this at home kids! MR FANTASTIC - Dr Reed Richards has the ability to convert his entire body into a highly malleable state at will, allowing him to stretch, deform, and reform himself into virtually any shape. RUBBER BOY - Daniel Browning Smith is an American contortionist; he holds the title of the most flexible person in history. SCIENCE IS AWESOME! SPIDER WOMAN - Jessica Drew Drew s powers include sticking and climbing on walls, a sixth sense to danger and being able to lift approximately 10 tons. STRONG MAN - Dennis Rogers can rip apart phone books with his bare hands, bend horse shoes and roll up frying pans. The Thing - Benjamin Jacob Grimm possesses high levels of superhuman strength, stamina, and resistance to physical injury.

Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. STEphen HAWKING