Carnegie Mellon University
Renewables Workshop
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...
Curated OER
Specific Heat of Metal
Students experiment with different types of metal by dipping them in boiling water and cool water and recording temperature changes in the water. By doing this, they find the specific heat of the metals.
Curated OER
Light Stick Chemistry
In this descriptive investigation worksheet, 6th graders conduct an investigation to determine if heat energy affects the brightness of a light stick. The students will form a prediction, collect data and answer 3 conclusion questions.
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How Electric Current Produces Energy
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of electric currents. In groups, they develop their own game board to test different circuits to determine if they are complete. They record their observations of the energy transfer between...
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Potential and Kinetic Energy
In this energy worksheet, students read about potential energy and kinetic energy. Then students complete 16 matching, 8 fill in the blank, and 9 word problems.
Curated OER
Potential and Kinetic Energy
In this kinetic and potential energy activity, students read about energy of position and energy of motion and are given the equations to find each. Students match 11 terms with their definitions about both types of energy and the...
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Heat Unit
Students define thermal equilibrium. They distinguish between internal energy and heat. Students describe how the quantity of heat that enters or leaves a substance is measured.
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How Do You Use Thermal Energy?
In this thermal energy learning exercise, students review radiation, convection, and conduction. This learning exercise has 3 matching and 6 short answer questions.
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TE Lesson: Energy Transfer in Musical Instruments
Students study concepts of energy and energy transfer. They look at how these concepts apply to musical instruments. They study the law of conservation of energy. They use the concepts studied in the lesson to design a musical instrument.
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Latent Heat of Fusion
Students conduct a series of investigation on latent heat of fusion. In this chemistry lesson, students explain how thermal storage systems work. They draw and interpret graphs.
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Transfer of Thermal Energy
In this thermal energy worksheet, students will explore different ways heat is transferred including conduction and convection. Students will look at how insulators work and how room temperature can affect heat transfer. This worksheet...
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Using Heat
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.
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Make a Solar Oven
Students build a solar oven. For this Science lesson, students construct a functional solar oven. Students design the oven and explain the energy concepts involved.
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Thermal Waters & Geologic Provinces
Students investigate thermal waters and geologic provinces. They examine provided maps of geothermal springs and thermal wells in the state of Idaho and their locations relative to Idaho's geologic provinces. Afterward, they use the maps...
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How Does Thermal Energy Spread?
In this thermal energy worksheet, students will brainstorm a main idea on how thermal energy is spread and then they will write in three details that support their main idea.
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What is Thermal Energy?
In this thermal energy worksheet, students will write down two facts about thermal energy and then they will draw a conclusion based on these two facts.
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Temperature
Several slides compare different temperature scales. Thermal expansion, heat transfer, and Maxwell speed distribution are also explored. The last two slides seem unrelated to the topic of heat, but are easily left out of this otherwise...
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Example of Convection
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...
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Food Energy
In this food energy worksheet, students review calories and how calories are determined. Students calculate how much thermal energy it would take to raise certain volumes of water a certain number of degrees. This worksheet has 3 word...
Discovery Education
Cool It!
Adjust the melting time of ice without varying the temperature! Learners experiment with different materials to decide how the materials affect the rate an ice cube melts. They then connect their findings to the conductivity of each...
Colorado State University
How Can Freezing Make Something Warmer?
Crazy fact—freezing liquid actually gives off heat! Young scholars investigate the transfer of energy when liquids freeze using a chemical heat pack. The heat pack gives off heat as its liquid core freezes.
Colorado State University
How Can I Turn a Solar Oven into a Refrigerator?
Whether you want to heat things up in science class or cool things down a bit, an intriguing lab's got you covered! Science scholars explore the principles of thermodynamics using a solar oven, then change the conditions to turn their...
Curated OER
Kinetic and Potential Energy
In this kinetic and potential energy instructional activity, students read for information and evaluate comprehension. In this multiple choice and fill in the blanks instructional activity, students answer fifteen questions.
Curated OER
Conservation of Energy
In this energy worksheet, students read about the Law of Conservation of Energy and compare the 6 forms of energy. Then students complete 20 matching, 2 short answer, and 6 word problems.