Activity
Discovery Education

It's Melting!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
It's a race to the finish! Which ice cube will melt the fastest? Scholars discover the effect thermal energy has on melting ice. They experiment with melting ice cubes on different materials and learn that even at a consistent...
Lab Resource
Colorado State University

If Hot Air Rises, Why Is it Cold in the Mountains?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Investigate the relationship between temperature and pressure. Learners change the pressure of a sample of air and monitor its temperature. They learn that as air decreases its pressure, its thermal energy converts to kinetic energy.
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Energy Basics

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Power up your lessons with an energetic resource. Scholars learn about work, force, energy, and power. They consider the relationships between these quantities through hockey puck scenarios and make calculations using formulas.
Lesson Plan
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Alphas, Betas and Gammas Oh, My!

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Referring to the periodic table of elements, nuclear physics learners determine the resulting elements of alpha and beta decay. Answers are given in atomic notation, showing the atomic symbol, mass, atomic number, and emission particles....
Printables
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Power Systems & Efficiency

For Teachers 6th - 9th Standards
Are you looking for a reading resource about the efficiency of power systems? Here is one that introduces the output/input ratio, measurement of energy by joules or calories, and efficiency ratings. For STEM classes that are learning...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Example of Convection

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Compare the density of different salt solutions and then observe currents that are caused by the difference. Set up a demonstration of dynamic equilibrium. The intent with these activities is to begin building understanding of density...
Organizer
Curated OER

How is Thermal Energy Transferred?

For Students 6th - 12th
In this thermal energy worksheet, students will write down the key facts and vocabulary words associated with heat and thermal equilibrium, transfer of thermal energy, conductors and insulators, and heat capacity. This worksheet is a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is Energy? Short Demos

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in three short, hands-on, in-class demos which expand students' understand of energy. First, using peanuts and heat, students see how the human body burns food to make energy. Then, they create paper snake mobiles to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Magic of Solar Thermal: How the Sun Can Be Used to Heat Water

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students are introduced to how the sun is used to heat water.  In this solar lesson students identify the different types of solar water heating and demonstrate how it works.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Typical Conceptual Questions for Physics I - Heat

For Students 9th - 12th
This worksheet would make a nifty quiz on the laws of thermodynamics. Nine multiple choice questions assess high schoolers' understanding of energy transfer, specific heat capacity, phase change, fusion, and vaporization. It is short but...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Oceans as a Heat Reservoir

For Teachers 7th - 11th Standards
Oceans absorb half of the carbon dioxide and 80 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Scholars learn how and why the oceans store heat more effectively than land and how they help mitigate global warming. Pupils...
Interactive
Chemistry Collective

Virtual Lab: Coffee Problem

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Would you like milk with that? Young scientists consider thermal energy transfer to create the perfect cup of coffee. They calculate the amount of milk needed to reach a specified temperature and then test their calculations using a...
PPT
National Energy Education Development Project

The Science of Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Did you know the word energy comes from energeia, a Greek word? Introduce learners to the four types of potential energy, five types of kinetic energy, and energy transformation with a presentation about where we get our energy and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Energy Crossword

For Students 9th - 12th
In this science worksheet, students solve the crossword puzzle using the context of energy to acquire a new understanding of vocabulary words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Transfer in Musical Instruments

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students create unique sounds using different instruments.  In this energy lesson plan, students read and define several vocabulary terms such as heat, energy transfer and thermal equilibrium.  Students utilize several...
Lab Resource
Colorado State University

How Does the Earth Cool Itself Off?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Where does all the heat go when the sun goes down? An interesting lesson has learners explore this question by monitoring the infrared radiation emitted over time. They learn that hot spots cool more quickly that cooler spots.
PPT
Curated OER

Using Heat

For Teachers 7th
The 6 slides give a few examples of ways that we use heat and heating systems.  There is a diagram of circulation in a stove and forced air system as well as other examples of heat movers. Great for an introduction.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ice Cube Experiment

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students explore the rate at which ice melts. In this science instructional activity, students place ice cubes on colored index cards and place them in direct sunlight. Students observe which ice cubes melt fastest and slowest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Thermal Energy Transfer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct an experiment to calculate and quantify heat transfer. They conduct the experiment, and complete a data and lab conclusion sheet.
Organizer
Curated OER

Thermal Energy

For Students 4th - 8th
In this thermal energy worksheets, students will read 4 different examples of thermal energy and then write in what the effect that example has based on what they read.
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Renewables Workshop

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Youngsters examine resource maps to find out which states are using solar and wind power and discuss as a class various other renewable energy sources. They use a provided data table to record pros and cons to each technology, build and...
Unit Plan
Next Generation Science Storylines

Why Do Some Things Get Colder (or Hotter) When They React?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Some reactions absorb heat while others release it. Young scholars investigate both types of reactions in a 12-lesson unit. Each lesson presents a lab investigation that monitors temperature and considers the types of reactions taking...
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

The Tide is High, but I’m Holding On… Using ICESat Data to Investigate Sea Level Rise

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Based on the rate of melting observed from 2003-2007 in Greenland, it would take less than 10 minutes to fill the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium. The 17th lesson in a series of 21 has scholars use the ICESat data to understand the ice mass...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring Solar Energy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars 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. 

Other popular searches