Differentiate between temperature and thermal energy. Your class will build a thermometer using simple materials and develop their own scale for measuring temperature. Discuss with your class and consider why engineers need to understand...

Learners test insulation materials. In this energy conservation instructional activity, students use different insulation materials to see which one holds heat the best. Learners pour hot water into bottles, take the temperature, wait 15...

Young scholars investigate the properties of insulators by attempting to keep a cup of water from freezing, and once it is frozen, to keep it from melting. They conduct the experiment, record and analyze the results, and answer...

Learners conduct an experiment to determine what type of clothing would be most suitable for outdoor activities. They determine the temperature changes of the skin under various wet clothing materials and graph the temperature changes. ...

Young scholars use the TI-83 + linked to the CBL2 and temperature probes to perform an experiment. Each of the temperature probes is placed into a different cup, one insulated and one not insulated. Each cup holds warm water. The two...

Students experiment with thermal insulators. In this heat transfer lesson, students predict and then measure heat loss from a cup of water using different materials as insulators. Students complete a line graph to display their results.

Students weigh various battings and feathers. They make sure to have the same weight of each type of insulations. Students wrap one bottle of warm water in each of the two insulations. They measure the temperature of each bottle,...

Student's explore the concept of animal adaptations.  In this animal science instructional activity, students create insulated mittens and conduct an investigation with cold water.  Students discuss the results and make...

Students study solar energy and how to measure it.  For this energy sources lesson students complete a lab, obtain data and use that to convert surface temperature to energy. 

Young scholars make a model of a polar bear and discuss why fur/skin color is important. They also perform a simple experiment using black and white socks to determine how color affects temperature.

Students are challenged to come up with a good estimate of the amount of air in foamed polystyrene products. They use this gas evolution experiment and as such have students measure the gas generated when foamed polystyrene is degassed...

Third graders experiment to see what would make a good coat for being in a climate that is freezing. They test to see what material makes the best insulation for coats.

Ninth graders measure the insulation properties of different fabrics by immersing cans of water covered with fabric "socks" in an ice bath and measuring temperature changes. They then calculate heat loss and graph the data individually.

Students work with thermometers to complete problems about temperature. They investigate cooling patterns, how location affects temperature, and what happens when water having different temperature is mixed. They measure temperature in...

Fifth graders explore conductors and heat loss in different materials. In this Physical Science lesson plan, 5th graders will be measuring the temperature drop of water in four containers. The class will then discuss what an...

Third graders conduct experiments to determine what types of material make good insulators. They prepare a graph of time vs. temperature for their sample. They choose a graph using each kind of material to display for class analysis and...

Students discuss hypothermia and recognize how insulation helps keep people warm. In this science activity, students get into four groups and go to each activity. Students simulate what it is like to stay warm using shortening and ziploc...

Third graders read a thermometer with accuracy, record observations and data, and infer conceptual meaning. They integrate mathematical charting and graphing skills to organize their data. They explore what happens when they touch or use...

Third graders explore the concept of heat transfer as experienced in wearing winter clothing and analyzing the refrigerator.

Students get a first hand look at the benefit of a "blubber layer" in cold climates through a simulation using vegetable shortening and icy water. Through this simulation, students examine how adaptations help organisms survive.

Students investigate the effect of different container materials on heat transfer; draws a conclusion about the best insulator; and applies concept to a new, seemingly quite different problem.

Students design an experiment to determine which type of container would be best to use to keep drinks cool on a hot day. Students test paper cups, styrofoam cups, and metal cans by filling them with ice water and they use a thermometer...

Students examine the greenhouse gases affecting the atmosphere. In groups, they participate in activities in which they examine the effects of heat on the atmosphere and phytoplankton. They research how the phytoplankton differ in warm...

Learners observe which of ten types of clouds are visible and how much of the sky is cloud covered. They see that by observing clouds, we can get information about temperature, moisture, and wind conditions in different places in the...