Investigating Convection Currents

Students explain the role of convection currents in the movement of air. In this earth science lesson, students investigate convection by observing a boiling water in the lab. They describe how fluids move when they experience convection.

Help young scientists piece together the theory of plate tectonics with this comprehensive collection of materials. Whether your are looking for worksheets, hands-on activities, or assessments, this resource has everything a science...

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...

Hot off the presses, this collection of thermal energy activities, lessons, and printables is sure to amaze. Demonstrate how thermal energy moves about in a system using simple materials. Pupils demonstrate their understanding...

Review heat transfer with your seventh graders and guide them in making a practical application. Learners use a paper cutout spiral to locate convection currents in the classroom and throughout the school. They record the temperature at...

More than a week's worth of investigation is provided in this source. Physical science stars experiment to describe specific heat, conduction, convection, and radiation. They also discover the relationship between mechanical and thermal...

Young scholars use water, beakers, hot plates, paper dots, and goggles to participate in a hands on activity where they see how a convection current creates wind. In this convection current lesson plan, students participate in a hands on...

Sixth graders work together to show convection currents in the air. They construct a paper propeller that be caused to spin due to the transfer of heat energy through the air.

Sixth graders use jars of water, parsley and heating plates to observe convection currents. They discuss the demonstration and consider how their observations might apply to architecture and building design.

Students analyze how engineers study temperature inversions and convection currents to understand why pollution levels may be higher in some areas than others. They participate in an experiment that allows them to build simple models to...