Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: What Is Heat?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
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.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Cooking With the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Using Heat From the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
Activity
Maryland Science Center

Maryland Science Center: Build a Conductivity Tester [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 6th
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.
Activity
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Atmospheric Processes Conduction

For Students 3rd - 8th
This simple demonstration helps students understand the concept of conduction. Site includes background information, images, and lesson plans outlining the demonstration of conduction.
Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: Ms Ps3 3: Thermal Energy Transfer Solution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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".
Activity
Colorado State University

Csu: Heat Transfer Mechanisms

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physical Science: Transfer of Electric Charge

For Students 7th - 9th
[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.
Handout
Georgia State University

Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Flow to Hotter Region

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
Colorado State University

Colorado State Univ.: Heat Transfer Resistance Modeling

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Heat

For Students 3rd - 7th
A video and a short quiz on heat, covering its difference from temperature, thermal energy, and the means by which heat is transferred.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Go With the Flow

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Bake Your Ice Cream

For Students 9th - 10th
This activity will teach you how it is even possible to bake ice cream in a hot oven and have it come out frozen.
Interactive
BBC

Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Materials: Keeping Warm

For Students 3rd - 8th
Easy-to-understand overviews, with illustrations, a game, and quiz questions, about thermal conductors and insulators.
Handout
Other

Mister teacher.com: Thermal Energy

For Students 3rd - 5th
An explanation, supported by pictures and animation, of how thermal energy transfers between objects.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How an Igloo Keeps You Warm

For Students 9th - 10th
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]
Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Metals, Insulators and Semiconductors

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Cooking With the Sun Creating a Solar Oven

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy Efficiency

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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....
Interactive
BBC

Bbc Schools: Ks2 Bitesize: Science: Physical Processes: Electrical Conductors

For Students 3rd - 8th
A review of electrical conductors and insulators, with diagrams, activities, and quiz questions.
Professional Doc
Other

L in C Online: Three Little Pigs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Which Materials Are the Best Conductors?

For Students 3rd - 5th
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.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: The Three Bears Heat Investigation It's Just Right

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Activity
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Using Energy Resources Wisely

For Students 6th - 9th
Students test which type of material retains heat the longest.