Virginia Middle School Engineering Education Initiative
Save the Penguins: An Introduction to Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Heat things up in your physical science class with this interactive lesson series on thermodynamics. Through a series of class demonstrations and experiments, young scientists learn how heat is transferred through conduction, convention,...
Curated OER
The Big Melt
Pupils experiment with a variety of materials used for insulation by melting ice cubes.
PBS
Insulation Station
It's all about the material. Learners experiment with different substances as they try to keep an ice cube from melting. They draw conclusions by answering a set of questions about the types and amount of material that had the best result.
Curated OER
Will The Ice Melt and Overflow?
Students observe what happens when ice in a glass of water starts to melt. In this ice lesson plan, students see that the ice does not make the water overflow, it simply occupies the space it did in frozen form.
Curated OER
The Great Melting Race
Students show their knowledge by choosing the correct answer about solids, liquids and gases. Students also write short answer responses to questions about experiments they have done.
Curated OER
More on Conduction and Convection
Why do some items feel colder when they are the same temperature? How should you keep your soda cold? What makes the wind blow? These are just some of the things middle schoolers discover when completing a lesson on conduction and...
It's About Time
Chemistry and Physical Changes
Engage the class like never before as pupils learn to differentiate between multiple physical and chemical changes by conducting a list of small experiments, most often with household materials. They make observations and discuss the...
Curated OER
Ice Breakers
Middle schoolers understand the effects of global warming on icecaps. They investigate the worldwide consequences that may result.
Curated OER
Physical Properties of Ice
Students explore the different properties of ice. They make predictions and experment with ice. Students discover that ice melts faster under pressure. Students create a flipbook what what happened after each experiment. This lesson...
Curated OER
The Big Freeze
In this lab activity worksheet, students record the time it takes for an ice cube to melt in three different situations. After collecting data they design a container that will keep an ice cube in a solid state for as long as possible.
Curated OER
Understanding Oceans
Students investigate how ocean currents affect our world. In this ocean currents lesson, students perform an experiment to show how cold water is near the poles and warm water is near the equator. Students use water, food coloring, ice...
Curated OER
Observing Reactions
Students use the scientific method to complete to experiments that have visible reactions. In this visible reaction lesson, students participate in an experiment with melting ice and one with inflating a balloon. Students record their...
Curated OER
Ice Breakers: A Lab Experience About the Effects of Global Warming on Icecaps
Learners describe the physical properties of ice and speculates on the dangers that icecaps might pose on a global scale. They then demonstrate, through a series of experiments, several physical properties of ice (ability to fracture,...
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.
Polar Trec
Do You See What Icy?
Here is a lesson that kicks off with a question. "How does ice floating on the ocean act as it melts?" As learners investigate this natural phenomenon, they'll discover that it has a lot to do with temperature, salinity, and the effect...
Polar Trec
Is There Salt in a Glacier?
What can conductivity tell us about a glacier? Groups analyze glacial melt to determine salt content through an analysis of the pH and conductivity measurements of two samples. Groups then determine the source of the salts.
Curated OER
Water Cycle Stories
Students explore the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students simulate the water cycle by placing an ice cube in a Ziploc bag and observing the changes which occur over time. Students record the mass of the Ziploc bag and record...
Curated OER
Global Climate Change
Second graders investigate the effect of melting glaciers to sea level. In this earth science lesson, 2nd graders simulate the process in the lab by conducting an experiment using ice cubes and clay. They explain the consequences of...
Curated OER
Producing Heat
Students listen to "Heat Wave" by Helen Ketterman and discuss the story by creating a word web with heat as the main topic. They break into groups and conduct an experiment using a thermometer to record the temperature of melting ice...
Curated OER
Chills And Thrills
Pupils learn what happens when ice melts. They explore melting, and devise ways of speeding up and slowing down the melting process.
Curated OER
Everything's Under Control
Fifth graders prepare for a "Mad Scientists Fair" by creating a controlled study and by conducting experiments. They make and record observations and classify specimens according to characteristics. They compare results to their original...
Curated OER
Rain Formation
First graders investigate the different water formations by conducting an experiment. In this water properties instructional activity, 1st graders examine jars filled with ice, rain water, air and snow in their class. Students predict...
Curated OER
Multi-Talented Electrical Energy
Young scholars explore energy conversions by demonstrating the conversion of electrical energy into light, heat, sound, and magnetic energy. Students create a simple device that converts electrical energy from batteries to heat, light,...