Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Why Is the Earth Still Hot Inside?
In this lesson plan, students conduct heat transfer experiments to investigate why the Earth is still hot at its core, even after billions of years since its formation. They will learn that the rate of heat transfer is dependent on an...
Science is Fun
Science Is Fun: The Fireproof Balloon
In this experiment, two balloons are each placed over a lighted match, but the one that has had water placed inside it does not burst. Includes an explanation of why that is so.
SRI International
Performance Assessment Links in Science: Ice Melting
A lesson plan for guiding students through a simple research experiment focused on transfer of energy is described for teacher administration and student explanation. Also includes a detailed rubric for evaluating student work.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Catapult
Science experiment that demonstrates how energy is transferred. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of how the tension in the catapult causes an object to travel far.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Mechanical Equivalent of Heat Lab
This lab is designed to have students look at a greatly simplified version of James Joule's experiment showing the conversion of mechanical energy to heat.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Give and Take
An activity for students to explore how dark-colored materials absorb and emit more energy vs. light-colored material.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar System!
An introduction to our solar system: the planets, our Sun and our Moon. Students begin by learning the history and engineering of space travel. They make simple rockets to acquire a basic understanding Newton's third law of motion. They...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Hot and Cold Water Experiment
Demonstrate the relationship between water temperature and density using two clear plastic soda bottles.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Daredevil Ball Jump Experiment
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.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Wind Generator
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...
Museum of Science
The Atoms Family
Let this classic family of monsters guide you as you learn about energy. Interactive exercises, experiments, and demonstrations help to build knowledge and raise questions.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Biodiversity: Local Ecosystem & Food Web
This is a hands on lesson in which students will explore their local community to identify living things. It can be used as part of a unit on biodiversity and energy transfer within a biology, zoology, or environmental science course, or...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Pie Pan Convection
In this experiment, students observe what happens when a pan of soapy, colored water is heated. They will see that convection currents cause the fluid to rise and sink in a localized convection cell.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: What Are Nature's Building Blocks?
Activity 3 of this module investigates: How do we know what's inside an atom? From Ernest Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment to his investigation of the Plum Pudding model, students become aware of the Nuclear Model of an Atom. Also in...
TOPS Learning Systems
Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Conduction and Convection [Pdf]
Experiment investigating conduction and convection of heat in water.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Balloon Blow Up
Students can experiment at home with expanding balloons, dancing raisins, and pop cans that have been shaken up.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Burn Rubber
Try this at-home science experiment to learn what happens when you repeatedly stretch a rubber band.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Colored Water Convection
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!