PBS
Dough Creatures
Knead a resource on electric circuits? A fun activity teaches future scientists about conductors and insulators. They prepare conducting and insulating dough and use them to make creatures that light up.
Curated OER
Conductivity Lessons
"Conduct" some simple experiments with these great lesson plans on conductors and insulators!
DiscoverE
The Power of Graphene
When you think electric circuits, your pencil probably isn't the thing that comes to mind. A simple experiment lets learners test whether the graphene in pencil lead is a conductor or an insulator. If the LED bulb lights up, a conductor...
Curated OER
Particle Model of Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Display the arrangement of molecules in solids, liquids, and gases. Demonstrate how the addition of heat energy results in greater molecular motion and therefore a change of phase. Give examples of heat conductors and insulators, and...
Curated OER
Electricity and Magnetism
The standard basics of electricity are detailed in this clear-cut collection of slides. Straightforward explanations are offered for static electricity, series and parallel circuits, conductors, insulators, and resistance. Some animation...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Electrochromic Polymer—Chemistry Outreach
From windows that tint themselves to OLED technology, electrochromic polymers are redefining our ideas about conducting materials! Introduce your chemistry class to the emerging trend with an exciting lab activity. Budding materials...
Curated OER
Insulators
Students design and carry out an investigation to test which materials is the best insulator: they predict which way heat energy flows in a system and analyze the flow of energy in a system from one point to another and from one form to...
Curated OER
Thermodynamics
In this thermodynamics instructional activity, students learn about insulators and conductors. Students compare the three ways thermal energy is transferred: conduction, convection, and radiation. This instructional activity has 22...
Curated OER
Conductivity
Learners 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.
Curated OER
Transfer of Thermal Energy
In this thermal energy worksheet, learners will explore different ways heat is transferred including conduction and convection. Students will look at how insulators work and how room temperature can affect heat transfer. This worksheet...
Mr. E. Science
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
The biggest magnet in the world is at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and can reach 100 tesla. By comparison, magnets that lift cars are about two tesla. The 11th presentation in this series covers magnetism,...
K12 Reader
Charge It!
Electrify your pupils' interest in conductors and insulators with a brief reading passage! After reading the text, learners respond to five questions that relate to the content of the passage.
Curated OER
What are Conductors and Insulators?
Students explore simple circuits. Students conduct a variety of experiments to discover their level of conductivity. Students summarize and explain experimental findings. Students are introduced to passive causality.
Curated OER
Conductors and Insulators
Fifth graders investigate conductors and insulators by testing their hypotheses. They use copper wire and batteries to light a bulb. They use a penny and a plastic spoon to determine which is an insulator and which is a conductor.
Curated OER
Conductors, Insulators, and Semiconductors
Students will investigate the differences in conductivity of materials, design a variety of complete circuits, and observe the differences between the manner in which light is produced in an incandescent light bulb and an LED.
Curated OER
Heat Energy - Energy Transfer
Here's a great selection of slides for a class being introduced to heat transfer. Types of materials that are good conductors or insulators are covered and the diagrams that accompany the information should make understanding more...
Curated OER
Changes in Heat
A thorough PowerPoint provides information related to changes in heat. The contrast between day and night temperatures is included. The concepts of boiling and freezing are also covered. Insulators and conductors are presented as well.
Curated OER
Radiation and Controlling Heat Flow
The carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and its effect on how heat is contained is summarized here. The flow of heat is explained with details about insulation and conduction. There are diagrams of heat circulation on a global level and...
Curated OER
Insulator Lab
Students explore insulators. In this science lesson, students conduct an experiment in which they determine materials that insulate. Students graph their results using a line graph.
Curated OER
Thermal Energy
Explore thermal energy with your class with this introductory presentation. While there is information about heat, conduction, temperature and other topics, further information could be added to make it a richer experience.
Curated OER
Electricity
Give your science lesson a charge with this presentation on electricity. Each slide contains vocabulary or great information on what electricity is and how it works. Note: This resource would be even better if accompanied by a video and...
Curated OER
Keeping Warm: Science Review Game
Test the class on what they know about thermal conduction, insulation, and heat. This interactive game provides 15 questions related to the science of temperature, heat, and cold. Keep your class warm with a fun review game!
Curated OER
Be "Sun-sible" about Heating Water
Learners create a solar water heater. In this solar energy lesson, students conduct an experiment to determine which colors absorb more radiant heat. Learners investigate the relationship of heat loss to insulation. Students then create...
Curated OER
Keeping Warm?
Fifth graders explore conductors and heat loss in different materials. In this Physical Science lesson plan, 5th graders will be measuring the temperature drop of water in four containers. The class will then discuss what an...