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Methods of Heat Transfer
Eighth graders are introduced to the various types of heat transfer methods.  After taking a quiz, they pretend their hands are cold and offer suggestions on how to warm them up.  They explain each type of heat transfer method and give...
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Heat: Mini Unit
Young scholars experiment with heat. In this physical science lesson plan, students engage in hands-on activities to develop concepts related to heat. Young scholars offer explanations for their observations using given vocabulary.
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Insulators, Conductors, and Energy Transfer
Third graders conduct experiments to determine what types of material make good insulators. They prepare a graph of time vs. temperature for their sample. They choose a graph using each kind of material to display for class analysis and...
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Conductivity
Students work together to create a simple conductivity tester.  They discover the difference between conductors and insulators.  They test different types of materials for their conductivity as well.
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Student Exploration: Energy Conversions
In this earthquake exploration worksheet, students complete 3 prior knowledge questions, then use "Energy Conversions Gizmo" to conduct several activities, completing short answer questions when finished.
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Energy Efficient Home Design
Learners investigate the applications of energy efficient homes. They conduct Internet research, complete a worksheet, evaluate the energy efficiency of a home design, and complete a research report on energy efficient homes.
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Solar Hot Box
Students investigate how different colors and materials create various temperatures and apply this it the concept of solar energy.
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Solutions
For this solutions worksheet, students determine colligative properties, calculate specific heat, and review the kinetic theory as it applies to gases. This worksheet has 8 multiple choice and 9 problems to solve.
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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...
Bonneville
Creating the Most Effective Solar Heater
If changing one variable can improve a design, why not try changing more? Using the results from the previous activity, scholars decide on the variables that caused the most improvement in the effectiveness of the solar heater. They take...
Curated OER
Bringing Climate Change Into the Classroom
Students investigate the greenhouse effect and examine the potential effects of climate change in the Arctic. They construct a mini-greenhouse and test its effect on temperature, analyze historical climate statistics, and conduct an...
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How is Thermal Energy Transferred?
In this thermal energy worksheet, students will write down the key facts and vocabulary words associated with heat and thermal equilibrium, transfer of thermal energy, conductors and insulators, and heat capacity. This worksheet is a...
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Bing! Bang! Boom!
Sixth graders investigate heat energy, conduction, convection, and radiation.
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Coffee Cooling
Students explore the factors that affect how long coffee stays hot.  They develop a question and a testable hypothesis for one factor such as initial temperature or size of opening of the container.  Then they design and conduct an...
Discovery Education
It's Too Loud!
STEM scholars investigate sound attenuation by conducting an experiment in which they compare the farthest distance that they can hear a sound with and without ear protection.
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Energy Transfer
Students investigate the properties of heated air.  They make predictions about what they think makes the wind blow on a worksheet, and conduct two experiments to demonstrate the properties of heated air.  Students heat a bottle until a...
Polar Trec
South Pole Ice Cream!
How can you turn an ice cream activity into a scientific investigation? It's easy if you know ionic compounds, heat transfer, and the exothermic and endothermic process. Learners will explore the science behind freezing, insulation, and...
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Heating the Atmosphere
Students construct a thermograph for maximum and minimum temperatures for the 2-week period. They illustrate how the earth's atmosphere is heated by convection and conduction currents and evaporation of water.
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Check Out Lights and Shields with Beads
Students explore Ultraviolet detecting beads and conduct several investigations with them.  In this investigative activity students participate in an experiment to see the harmful effects of UV light and discuss their findings. 
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Thermodynamics
In this thermodynamics worksheet, learners learn about insulators and conductors. Students compare the three ways thermal energy is transferred: conduction, convection, and radiation. This worksheet has 22 matching, 1 multiple choice, 3...
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Thermodynamics
In this thermodynamics worksheet, students read about conduction, convection and radiation. They answer 47 questions about heat transfer, thermal equilibrium, insulators, conductors and the states of matter.
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Improving the Building Envelope System
Students explain the different heat transfer mechanisms and how they influence the building envelope. They develop ways in which the building envelope can be improved and test hypotheses about building envelope designs.
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Melt Away
Students explore objects before and after heating using their senses.  In this matter and energy lesson, students experiment with a variety of objects and use their senses (except taste) to make predictions and record observations...
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The Envelope System: A Partial Solution
Studnet identify examples of conduction, convection and radiation. They develop an example of a building envelope. They also describe how heat transfer mechanisms can affect home energy costs.