TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Is Heat?
Students learn about the definition of heat as a form of energy and how it exists in everyday life. They also learn about the three types of heat transfer as well as the connection between heat and insulation.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Cooking With the Sun
Students learn about using renewable energy from the Sun for heating and cooking as they build and compare the performance of four solar cooker designs. They explore the concepts of insulation, reflection, absorption, conduction and...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Using Heat From the Sun
In this instructional activity, students will first discuss where energy comes from, including sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear, and such renewable technologies as solar. After this initial exploration, students will investigate the...
Maryland Science Center
Maryland Science Center: Build a Conductivity Tester [Pdf]
Instructions on how to build an instrument that can be used to test which materials are conductors and which are insulators, in order to bridge a gap in an electrical circuit.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Atmospheric Processes Conduction
This simple demonstration helps students understand the concept of conduction. Site includes background information, images, and lesson plans outlining the demonstration of conduction.
The Wonder of Science
The Wonder of Science: Ms Ps3 3: Thermal Energy Transfer Solution
Lessons to show thermal energy transfer. Students will "apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer".
Colorado State University
Csu: Heat Transfer Mechanisms
An excellent page from the Colorado State University with a heavy mathematical emphasis. Each form of heat transfer--conduction, convection, and radiation--is defined, compared, and contrasted. Mathematical equations governing the rates...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Transfer of Electric Charge
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Transfer of electric charge: transfer of electrons, conservation of charge and three ways electric charge can be transferred.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Flow to Hotter Region
Heat flow from a hot region to a cold region is described and explained. Applications of this phenomenon (specifically heat pumps and refrigerators) are discussed. Excellent graphics.
Colorado State University
Colorado State Univ.: Heat Transfer Resistance Modeling
This site from the Colorado State University discusses the tranfer of heat by conduction and convection. Discussion centers around the application of these two heat transfer mechanisms to engines. The variables that effect the resistance...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Heat
A video and a short quiz on heat, covering its difference from temperature, thermal energy, and the means by which heat is transferred.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Go With the Flow
Students gain an understanding of the difference between electrical conductors and insulators, and experience recognizing a conductor by its material properties. In a hands-on activity, students build a conductivity tester to determine...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Bake Your Ice Cream
This activity will teach you how it is even possible to bake ice cream in a hot oven and have it come out frozen.
BBC
Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Materials: Keeping Warm
Easy-to-understand overviews, with illustrations, a game, and quiz questions, about thermal conductors and insulators.
Other
Mister teacher.com: Thermal Energy
An explanation, supported by pictures and animation, of how thermal energy transfers between objects.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How an Igloo Keeps You Warm
If you ever find yourself stranded in the snowy Arctic, you're gonna need to know how to build an igloo. But how can building a house made of ice keep you warm? It's Okay To Be Smart explains. [5:16]
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Metals, Insulators and Semiconductors
Acting as an overview from the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site explores insulators in relation to metals and other semiconductors. Other topics include conduction band, dielectric breakdown, photoconductors, and more.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Cooking With the Sun Creating a Solar Oven
For this activity, students will be given a set of materials: cardboard, a set of insulating materials (i.e. foam, newspaper, etc.), aluminum foil, and Plexiglas. Students will then become engineers in building a solar oven from the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Efficiency
Young scholars measure energy outputs and inputs to determine the efficiency of conversions and simple systems. One associated activitiy includes Lego motors and accomplishing work. The other investigates energy for heating water....
BBC
Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Physical Processes: Electrical Conductors
A review of electrical conductors and insulators, with diagrams, activities, and quiz questions.
Other
L in C Online: Three Little Pigs
An energy transfer project for junior high school students is presented and described. Takes the form of a teacher lesson plan. Students may be able to extract some ideas for a project or experiment.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Which Materials Are the Best Conductors?
There are two main types of materials when it comes to electricity, conductors, and insulators. What are they made of? Find out by testing different materials in a circuit to see which ones conduct the most electricity.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: The Three Bears Heat Investigation It's Just Right
This activity uses the story of the three bears as a way to investigate conduction, convection, radiation, and insulation properties. It also could be used to describe the laws of thermodynamics and conservation of energy.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Using Energy Resources Wisely
Students test which type of material retains heat the longest.