Insulation Project Wins Science Fair & Shows ThermaCork is a Winner Too

ThermaCork is a 100% natural product that appeals to customers who value its insulation and accoustic properies. While we’re accustomed to hearing good things from our customers, we were delighted to receive an email from one of our youngest customers, Jenna, who used ThermaCork in her eighth grade science fair project. When Jenna sent an email to us (in the side bar to the right), we just had to learn more.

Jenna’s science project was to compare the thermal properties of different types of insulation. Her initial hypothesis was that sheep would be the best insulator due to its ability to regulate moisture and natural heat making. The materials she chose to compare as part of her project were fiberglass, sheep wool, cellulose, foam, and ThermaCork.

To get her data measurement, Jenna created wooden boxes and then lined the inside of each box with a 2” thickness of each product. This boxes were designed to have the same amount of interior air space to measure the temperature in each and to be small enough they could fit it in her home’s oven.

“I just wanted to check in and let you know that the science fair project went very well. I received first place in the 8th grade at my school level and will be competing at the district level in February. If there is anything new to report after that I will let you know. Thermacork is an AWESOME insulator! When the temperature in the box hadn’t changed after almost 15 min I had to go check and make sure the oven was still on! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with ThermaCork and learn about it. ”

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Insulation materials tested include fiberglass, sheep wool, foam, cellulose and ThermaCork.

Jenna win's first place at her school’s science fair and will be competing at her school’s district level competition in February.

Jenna considered trying to make each box have the same R value but that would have required having to make larger boxes or have less air space and Jenna decided that would create too many additional variables. Once construction was completed, each box was heated in the oven with an indoor/outdoor thermometer mounted inside the box.

Jenna’s mom was also impressed with ThermaCork’s performance, “Nothing came close to ThermaCork, it is an amazing insulator.”

A big thanks and congratulations to Jenna for sharing her project with us.

3/9/2020 UPDATE:

On March 7, Jenna placed first in her category at her state’s regional science fair and she will be competing in the state finals in a few weeks.

As a result of her regional win, she was awarded one of five Margaret Bradshaw awards and is a Broadcom Award recipient, making her eligible to compete at a national level.

Way to go, Jenna!