TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Heat It Up!
Through a teacher demonstration using water, heat and food coloring, students see how convection moves the energy of the Sun from its core outwards. Students learn about the three different modes of heat transfer (convection, conduction,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Using Heat From the Sun
In this lesson, 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...
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Heat, Temperature, and Conduction
Students observe, describe, and draw a model on the molecular level, showing how energy is transferred from one substance to another through conduction.
University of Sydney (Australia)
Thermal Physics Module/heat Transfer 1 [Pdf]
The first of two pages discussing the different forms of thermal energy transfer. Equations expressing the rate of energy transfer by each of the methods are provided and discussed.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Conduction Countdown
PBS offers an experiment that kids can do at home to learn more about heat conduction and how it works.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Convection
Using understandable words and exceptional graphics, this page describes the transfer of energy by means of the convection process. Contains several links to related topics.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Introduction to the Atmosphere
A detailed overview of the Earth's atmosphere, with explanations about atmospheric properties, the structure of the atmosphere, its four layers, atmospheric processes, energy heat transfer, conduction and convection, and radiation. All...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Works Best in a Radiator?
Students learn the importance of heat transfer and heat conductance. Using hot plates, student groups measure the temperature change of a liquid over a set time period and use the gathered data to calculate the heat transfer that occurs....
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar Water Heater
Student teams design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. This thermal energy is next transferred to water (to be...
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...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: How Horses Keep Warm in the Wind
In this mammalian biology science fair project, students will learn about methods of heat transfer and determine the best direction in which horses should stand in a cold wind to maintain their core temperature. The Science Buddies...
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.
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.
Read Works
Read Works: What Is Heat?
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about heat and how it is transferred from one object to another. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Applied Thermodynamics: Heat Transfer
Heat transfer, rates of heat exchange,conduction, radiation and convection are defined and discussed at this site from Applied Thermodynamics. Well illustrated.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Heat, Temperature, and Conduction
Explore heat, temperature, and the conduction of thermal energy through different materials.
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.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Cycle
The heat engine cycle is defined and discussed. So pressure-volume diagrams are introduced and their use in depicting the cycles of a heat engine is demonstrated. Informative graphics are accompanied by reason-filled explanations.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Pump
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.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Heat Engine Concepts
An indexing page for the HyperPhysics site. The page contains a concept map of links to a variety of other pages which discuss concepts related to heat engines. All pages contain informative graphics and excellent explanations.
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.
FT Exploring
Ft Exploring: Energy, Heat Flow, and Life
Here you can learn all about heat flow, one of the major driving forces of nature, and how it works. It is the force behind weather, photosynthesis, animal behavior, and much more.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ecology at Work
Students learn how rooftop gardens help the environment and the lives of people, especially in urban areas. They gain an understanding of how plants reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, provide agriculture space,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: What Is Thermal Conductivity?
Read this article to learn how to determine the rate at which heat conducts through a material.