Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Transferring Heat by Convection in a Tank

For Students 9th - 10th
In this engineering science fair project, students will determine the most effective method for quickly raising the temperature of a liquid in a tank. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract,...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Absorption of Radiant Energy by Different Colors

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science fair project, use an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of differently colored paper exposed to sunlight, and calculate energy emission using the Stefan-Boltzmann equation. Find discussion questions, a list...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: The Height Limits and Linearity of Bouncy Balls

For Students 9th - 10th
You might think that plants and animals have little in common with batteries, springs, or slingshots, but they actually do have something in common. Both living and non-living things store and transfer energy from one form to another. In...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Decomposing Energy: Heat Energy From Compost

For Students 9th - 10th
In this energy and power science fair project, the student will calculate the heat energy produced by an active compost pile, surrounding a tin can filled with water. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning...
Lesson Plan
Other

California Energy Commission: Solar Energy Science Projects [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Four science projects in which students learn how solar energy works and how thermal energy is transferred and utlized in a solar air heater, a solar water heater, a solar hot dog cooker, and a solar cell.
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy Efficient Housing

For Teachers 9th - 10th
We all know that it takes energy to provide us with the basics of shelter: heating, cooling, lighting, electricity, sanitation and cooking. To create energy-efficient housing that is practical for people to use every day requires...
Interactive
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Wind Generator

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using a voltage sensor, students will measure how much "electricity" is produced by the wind turbine that they design and build. Students will experiment with blade designs to see which one collects energy from the wind the most...
Interactive
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Solar Oven

For Students 3rd - 5th
Use the sun's energy to cook an egg? Design, build and test a solar oven. Activity gives a procedure to build oven as well as questions to answer. Questions can be saved and graded by instructor.
Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: Ms Ps3 3: Thermal Energy Transfer Solution

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Lessons to show thermal energy transfer. Students will "apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer".
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Solar Water Heater

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Student teams design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy. This thermal energy is next transferred to water (to be...
Handout
University of Sydney (Australia)

University of Sydney: Structure and Properties of Materials/thermal Physics

For Students 9th - 10th
An exhaustive set of "lecture notes" on various topics in thermal physics (including thermal expansion). Explanations are well done and more interesting than most. Includes both a mathematical and conceptual treatment of topics. Humor,...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Solar Water: Heat It Up!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore energy efficiency, focusing on renewable energy, by designing and building flat-plate solar water heaters. They apply their understanding of the three forms of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), as...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Kids: Colored Water Convection

For Students 3rd - 8th
This PBS site allows users to learn more about water convection as they discover how to demonstrate the way convection currents form. A fun science project!
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Which Is the Better Insulation Material?

For Students 6th - 8th
You've probably noticed that the price of gasoline can fluctuate a great deal from one year to the next. Using good insulation material is one way to conserve energy and save money. Learn here which insulation materials work better than...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Which Came First, Ice Cream or Refrigeration?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
As students begin their study of states of matter, this hands-on activity demonstrates how the interaction of a solid and a liquid can reverse the initial state of each material.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Mechanical Waves

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Learn about mechanical waves, which transfers energy from one place to another through liquids, gases and solids, with this interactive lesson.
Graphic
American Chemical Society

Middle School Chemistry: Heat, Temperature, and Conduction

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore heat, temperature, and the conduction of thermal energy through different materials.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Model Greenhouses

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the greenhouse effect. They construct their own miniature greenhouses and explore how their designs take advantage of heat transfer processes to create controlled environments....
Professional Doc
Other

L in C Online: Three Little Pigs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An energy transfer project for junior high school students is presented and described. Takes the form of a teacher lesson plan. Students may be able to extract some ideas for a project or experiment.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Exhibit Cross Reference: Convection Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of a museum exhibit that illustrates convection and convection currents. Great idea stimulus for a student project or lab investigation.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Give and Take

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of a museum exhibit that compares the heat radiated from two pieces of metal--one painted black and the other shiny. Great idea stimulus for a student project or lab investigation.
Activity
Michigan Reach Out

Sounds Like Science: Kazoo

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
At this site explore the energy transfer that is involved in making sound through playing a kazoo.This activity is wonderful for both science and music teachers.
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Daredevil Ball Jump Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Construct a device to measure the height of a bounced ball, then compare the bouncing heights of various types of balls. Record the results on a chart.