Curated OER
WS 7.5 Thermodynamics Concepts and Vocabulary
In this thermodynamics worksheet, students fill in the blanks with terms related to specific heat, calorimetry, phase changes, enthalpy, entropy and free energy.
Curated OER
Sand or Rock? Finding Out From 1,000 km
Students observe how measurements are made with different instruments. In this remote sensing lesson plan students investigate the physical state of surfaces including the surfaces of the solar system.
Curated OER
My Car Has Potential
Seventh graders investigate how changes in the mass or height of a ramp can affect the change in potential energy. They discuss the concepts of work and energy, then using the four question strategy, they design an experiment that...
Curated OER
Kinetics Review Sheet
In this kinetics worksheet, students define 7 terms related to the energy of reactions, they find the average reaction rate in a reaction, they sketch an energy diagram for an endothermic reaction and they compare exothermic and...
Curated OER
What a Drag
Students learn examples of friction and drag, and suggest ways to reduce the impact of these forces. The equation that governs common frictional forces is introduced, and during a hands-on activity, students experimentally measure a...
Curated OER
Can You See the Light?
Students investigate the transmission of light energy. In this light energy lesson plan, students observe bubbles using different colored filters and record their observations. They also look at a light source through various materials...
Curated OER
Soapy Solids
Students observe and explain how a change in temperature causes a physical change in a substance. In this physical science lesson, students use a soap making kit to observe the effects of adding heat to the bar soap as they create a bar...
Curated OER
Angle of Sunlight Lab
In this sunlight worksheet, students use a flashlight to simulate the angles sun shines. They shine the light on a graph at various angles and trace the lighted areas. They answer questions about the differences in the angles of light...
Discovery Education
Cool It!
Adjust the melting time of ice without varying the temperature! Learners experiment with different materials to decide how the materials affect the rate an ice cube melts. They then connect their findings to the conductivity of each...
Messenger Education
My Angle on Cooling—Effect of Distance and Inclination
When exploring Mars, spacecrafts are exposed to 5-11 times more sunlight than when near Earth. Groups of pupils complete a hands-on activity to explore how distance and angle of the sun affect temperature. Through discussions, they then...
National Science Teacher Association
Middle School Sampler: Science
Focus on inquiry-based learning in your science class with a series of activities designed for middle schoolers. A helpful packet samples four different texts, which include activities about predator-prey relationships, Earth's axis and...
Virginia Department of Education
States of Matter
Scientists have been studying exothermic reactions before they were cool. The lesson begins with a discussion and a demonstration of heat curves. Scholars then determine the heat of fusion of ice and the heat needed to boil water through...
Colorado State University
If Hot Air Rises, Why Is it Cold in the Mountains?
Investigate the relationship between temperature and pressure. Learners change the pressure of a sample of air and monitor its temperature. They learn that as air decreases its pressure, its thermal energy converts to kinetic energy.
DiscoverE
Sun-Warmed Treats
Treat your class to a fun activity, complete with treats. Groups create a solar oven from a pizza box. They then use it to heat up some food ... that's what an oven is for, after all!
Curated OER
Elementary Concepts in Heat
Third graders read a thermometer with accuracy, record observations and data, and infer conceptual meaning. They integrate mathematical charting and graphing skills to organize their data. They explore what happens when they touch or use...
Curated OER
Sunlight and Warm Air
Students examine the different ways heat can be felt. For this radiation and conduction lesson, students recognize that the sun radiates heat. Students conduct three experiments to find how the sun warms the Earth and how that heat is...
Curated OER
Food Energy
In this food energy learning exercise, students review calories and how calories are determined. Students calculate how much thermal energy it would take to raise certain volumes of water a certain number of degrees. This learning...
Curated OER
Heat Absorption
Students examine how heat moves from substance to another. In this heat absorption activity students identify ways that heat is transferred and analyze data.
Curated OER
Energy Forms
Students explore energy by participating in a science lab in class. In this energy form lesson, students define the different types of energy such as light, mechanical and sound while examining energy measuring tools in class. Students...
Curated OER
Thermal Energy Transfer - Conduction
Students examine how heat passes through a pane glass window. For this energy transfer lesson students complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
If You Can’t Stand the Heat
Young scholars design and build their own solar cooker. In this math instructional activity, students determine the relationship between the angles of the sun, reflection and cooking time of the solar cooker. They test their project,...
Curated OER
Bounce!
Students investigate the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. In this energy lesson plan students investigate the height a ball will bounce when dropped from various heights.
Curated OER
Where Does Earth's Heat Come From?
Students try to determine how the Earth is heated by the sun and other sources. In groups, they identify the other sources of energy and discover why different parts of the world are heated differently during the year. They complete an...
