Who needs a barbecue grill to cook hot dogs when you have the amazing power of the sun at your disposal? Engage young scientists in learning about solar energy with this fun activity that turns a used Pringles can into a solar powered...

During a unit on density, pupils ponder whether or not temperature affects this property. By carefully inserting blue cold water and yellow hot water into a room-temperature sample, they will see the answer. Make sure to have done the...

Start this mini unit on matter out by demonstrating how food coloring behaves when placed in cold and in hot water. Then have the class experiment with warm water and soap film. Pupils will learn that an increase in thermal energy also...

Heat-sensitive liquid crystal sheets are available in a variety of sizes and temperature ranges. Purchase a class set of hand-held sheets and color half of each with a silver permanent marking pen. Learners of light can hold them under a...

This teeny activity quickly demonstrates how friction produces heat. The handout is designed as an at-home experiment, but having kids do it in class as part of your lesson on friction ensures that everyone will get to experience it. 

After a brief reading on conduction and home heating systems, middle schoolers design a comparison experiment of temperature change in both hot and cold water. They will need to write up their own lab reports even though the procedure...

Explore thermal energy with this short episode. Jiggling molecules and hand-drawn animation help to explain that just because something has a lot of thermal energy, it doesn't necessarily feel hot to the touch. This is an ideal addition...

Pass around an ice cube and before long, there's nothing left! Youngsters work in groups to design an insulating food container that will keep cold things cold. Though the publisher designated this as a middle school activity, it is...

You might not serve raspberry-jam cakes like Mary Poppins did, but you can serve popcorn to make a point about steam and pressure. Pop two rounds of popcorn kernels: one as is, and the other after soaking awhile in water. Compare the...

In lab groups, young scientists place aluminum cans with a bubble-solution cap into different temperatures of water to see what size of bubble dome forms. As part of an atmosphere unit in preparation for learning about convection...

Let's heat things up! This simple experiment demonstrates for students the important role the sun plays in providing the earth with energy. Place one cup of water in direct sunlight and one in shade, then take measurements in order to...

What a terrific way to explore temperature! Little scientists can use this resource to make their own large thermometer and measure hot and cold liquids. They can then come up with their own experiment ideas or discuss how it might be...

Here is an interesting demonstration which shows how heat can create sound in a metal pipe! The principle of heat rising is the key to making this particular demonstration a success. A piece of metal mesh is lodged inside each of the...

Mystify your class with this terrific experiment. Take an open photo chip bag with a foil lining and microwave it. The results are amazing! Afterward, have your class discuss why the bag went from a normal size to a much smaller one.

Did you know that steam can be used to light a match? Mr. Spangler demonstrates that although it is made of water, steam contains a tremendous amount of energy. It's heat is used to light a match and burn some paper. This is an...

Have your class explore how a hot air balloon works. Through a simple demonstration, learners can see the process up close, and discuss why this occurs. They can then perform related experiments on their own.

What a terrific way to explore temperature! Little scientists can use this resource to make their own large thermometer and measure hot and cold liquids. They can then come up with their own experiment ideas or discuss how it might be...

Here is an interesting demonstration which shows how heat can create sound in a metal pipe! The principle of heat rising is the key to making this particular demonstration a success. A piece of metal mesh is lodged inside each of the...

Mystify your class with this terrific experiment. Take an open photo chip bag with a foil lining and microwave it. The results are amazing! Afterward, have your class discuss why the bag went from a normal size to a much smaller one.

Did you know that steam can be used to light a match? Mr. Spangler demonstrates that although it is made of water, steam contains a tremendous amount of energy. It's heat is used to light a match and burn some paper. This is an...

Have your class explore how a hot air balloon works. Through a simple demonstration, learners can see the process up close, and discuss why this occurs. They can then perform related experiments on their own.

Three experiments are shown to demonstrate thermal conductivity. Dr. Carlson is amusing and educational at the same time. Show this video in your chemistry class when teaching about heat conductivity, especially if you do not have the...

Temperature and heat are not the same thing. The differences are explained visually in a science classroom and with animated graphics. The narrator speaks slowly and clearly, making this ideal for younger scientists. Use in your middle...

In a cool lesson, we discover that ice can vary in temperature. As heat is added and it approaches 32°F, it begins to melt. When it melts, it absorbs heat energy. If you want your drink to stay colder longer and not get watery, put...