OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: 6.2 Thermal Energy
This Thermal Energy unit has students investigating two ways to transfer energy into a drink: (1) the absorption of light and (2) thermal energy from the warmer air around the drink. They are then challenged to design their own drink...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Using Energy Resources Wisely
Students test which type of material retains heat the longest.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Heat Conduction
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Investigates what conduction is, how it works, and gives examples of conduction.
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.
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...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Zero Energy Housing
Students investigate passive solar building design with a focus solely on heating. They learn how insulation, window placement, thermal mass, surface colors, and site orientation play important roles in passive solar heating. They use...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Is the Best Insulator: Air, Styrofoam, Foil, or Cotton?
That heat flows from hot to cold is an unfortunate truth of life. People have put a lot of effort into stopping this fact, however all they have been able to do is slow the process. Working in groups of three to four, students will...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Efficiency
Students 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. Students...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Using Heat From the Sun
In this lesson plan, 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 three main...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Much Heat Will It Hold?
Students relate thermal energy to heat capacity by comparing the heat capacities of different materials and graphing the change in temperature over time for a specific material. Students learn why heat capacity is an important property...
Other
Warmair.com: Insulation
The role of insulation in preventing heat loss is discussed. The concept of thermal resistance is introduced and explained. Understandable language but no graphics.
OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: 6.2 Thermal Energy Teacher Professional Development Overview
This four-day professional development session introduces teachers to the OpenSciEd materials generally in addition to the 6.2 Thermal Energy unit.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science Underwater City: What Are Good and Poor Conductors of Heat?
John and Jessi are going underwater, and they need to stay warm. Help them learn about conductors of heat so they can stay warm.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Stop Heat From Escaping
One way to conserve energy in a building is to use adequate insulation. Insulation helps keep the hot or cool air inside or outside of a building. Inefficient heating and cooling of buildings is a leading residential and industrial...
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...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Conduction
Using understandable words and exceptional graphics, this page describes the transfer of energy by means of conduction. Contains several links to related topics.
Better Planet Productions
Earth Care: Where's the Heat? [Pdf]
Students will work alongside the school caretaker to determine ways in which their school loses heat, and learn about strategies that can reduce or prevent this.
Other
Mister teacher.com: Thermal Energy
An explanation, supported by pictures and animation, of how thermal energy transfers between objects.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Hot Is It?
Students learn about the nature of thermal energy, temperature and how materials store thermal energy. They discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation of thermal energy, and complete activities in which they...
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.
OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: Net Logo: Conduction in Solids Full (Fixed)
This simulation shows conduction of thermal energy within and between solids, based on the kinetic energy of particles, and collisions between neighboring particles.
OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: Net Logo: Conduction in Solids Reduced
This simulation shows conduction of thermal energy within and between solids, based on the kinetic energy of particles, and collisions between neighboring particles.
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.
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...