Curated OER
Electrical Energy
Students conduct an experiment to find out how well different wires radiate heat when voltage is applied across the wire. They use the results of their experiments to consider how the gauge of the wire and the type of wire affect the...
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
Heat Absorption and Radiation
Learners experiment with the concepts of absorption and reflection of radiant energy.
Curated OER
Heat Transfer
Eighth graders form teams. Students place a thermometer in ball of clay and place in an insulated cup filled with hot water and then another thermometer in a ball of clay in an insulated cup of cold water. Students record temperature...
Curated OER
Insulation-Black and White
Eighth graders construct 2 different model homes out of manila folders in order to examine how heat is transferred by means of radiation and convection. Activity allows students to interpret how different colors or material affect the...
NASA
Supernova Chemistry
By measuring the wavelength, frequency, and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, scientists determine the temperature, density, and composition of far away items. Scholars rotate through ten lab stations using a spectroscope at each...
Science Matters
Thermal Energy Flow in Materials
The sun sends the earth 35,000 times the amount of energy required by all of us on the entire planet, every day. The fourth lesson in the 10-part series looks at how light energy from the sun transfers into thermal energy. Scholars build...
National Wildlife Federation
Wherefore Art Thou, Albedo?
In the sixth lesson in a series of 21, scholars use NASA data to graph and interpret albedo seasonally and over the course of multiple years. This allows learners to compare albedo trends to changes in sea ice with connections to the...
Oceanic Research Group
Heat Transfer and Cooling
Astronauts train underwater to simulate the change in gravity. An out-of-this-world unit includes three hands-on activities, one teacher demonstration, and a discussion related to some of the challenges astronauts face. Scholars apply...
Curated OER
Greenhouse Effect ...Building Our Own
Students explore the greenhouse effect. They set up a simplified model of the earth and the greenhouse effect. Students compare temperatures inside a jar to temperatures outside the jar. Pupils collect information and create a line...
Curated OER
Methods of Heat Transfer
Eighth graders discuss the forms of heat transfer that relate to the human body. Discussion revolves around the ability of different designs of hats to change the rate of heat transfer to and from the body. Students then experiment...
Curated OER
What's Cooking
Students complete a solar radiation activity. In this solar radiation lesson, students complete an experiment to learn about solar radiation. Students make solar tea by using the energy of the Sun to brew tea.
Curated OER
Energy from the Sun
In this energy worksheet, learners conduct an experiment and observe the various ways in which heat energy can be transferred. They explain what happened to the wooden block when it was placed in direct sunlight. Students also explain...
Curated OER
Planetary Weather
Students study the weather on other planets in our solar system. In this planetary weather lesson students create a display of the different weather conditions on the other planets.
Curated OER
Heat: Mini Unit
Students experiment with heat. In this physical science lesson plan, students engage in hands-on activities to develop concepts related to heat. Students offer explanations for their observations using given vocabulary.
Curated OER
Exploring Big Bang Evidence
Ninth graders study the Big Bang theory. In this big bang theory lesson students research the Internet and complete several activities and create a presentation.
Curated OER
Insulators
Sixth graders examine properties of four types of spoons, record observations, and apply their knowledge by designing the perfect hot chocolate cup.
Curated OER
Movement of Air
In this movement of air activity, students identify and describe the purpose for convection and how it effects Earth. Then they describe what thermals are and why they occur in hot and cold air movements. Students also explain why...
NASA
The Atmospheric Filter
What is the difference between a comet and a meteoroid? An educational lesson includes five demonstrations of how the atmosphere can inhibit our ability to measure many things in the galaxy.
Space Awareness
The Thermal Layers of Oceans
How much does the sun heat up a lake or ocean? Scholars use a cup and a strong lamp to investigate the heat transfer and thermal layers in the ocean to come up with the answer. They collect data and graph it in order to better understand...
Colorado State University
Can You See Beyond the Rainbow?
There's more to light than ROYGBIV! An enlightening laboratory investigation has learners explore the world of infrared light. When they use goggles that take away visible light, they experience how things look with only infrared light.
It's About Time
Exploring Energy Resource Concepts
Please turn off the lights to conserve energy. Or not, after all energy is always conserved. This first lesson in an eight-part series includes three parts. Part A contains one hands-on activity and two inquiry-based experiments on heat...
Science Geek
Reaction Kinetics
Show your classes the science behind rates of reactions with a presentation that explains factors that affect the rate, activation energies, exothermic and endothermic processes, and the proportionality of the product and reactant rates.
National Energy Education Development Project
Energy Works: Yes, Indeed it Does!
Moving from its definition to how it moves and its different types, scholars see different examples and then move into its application and use in everyday lives, in an energy-based presentation.