OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: 6.2 Thermal Energy
This Thermal Energy unit has students investigating two ways to transfer energy into a drink: (1) the absorption of light and (2) thermal energy from the warmer air around the drink. They are then challenged to design their own drink...
OpenSciEd
Open Sci Ed: 6.2 Thermal Energy Teacher Professional Development Overview
This four-day professional development session introduces teachers to the OpenSciEd materials generally in addition to the 6.2 Thermal Energy unit.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Examples of Thermal Energy
Describes examples of thermal energy in the natural world from the Sun, the oceans, and the Earth.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: What Is Thermal Energy?
Learn what thermal energy is and how to calculate it.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Put Some Energy Into It! Use a Calorimeter to Measure
In this science fair project, use a calorimeter with an attached heating element to measure how water responds to added thermal energy.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Heat, Temperature, and Conduction
Explore heat, temperature, and the conduction of thermal energy through different materials.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Heat Transfer
In this interactive activity adapted from the Wisconsin Online Resource Center, students will learn how heat can be transferred in one of three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Heat Transfer
Learn about thermal energy, also known as heat or heat energy, and the ways in which it can move from one object to another,
European Space Agency
European Space Agency: Impress: Heat Transfer
Learn about the transfer of thermal energy through concise information, and illustrated animations. Contains descriptions of conduction, convection, and radiation.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: To Heat or Not to Heat?
Students are introduced to various types of energy with a focus on thermal energy and types of heat transfer as they are challenged to design a better travel thermos that is cost efficient, aesthetically pleasing and meets the design...
National Geographic
National Geographic: Using Waste Heat to Generate Electricity
Students learn about waste heat capture, how it can be re-used to generate electricity and develop a podcast educating others about it. Includes student handouts and links to many online resources.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Heat Transfer: From Hot to Not
Students learn the fundamental concepts of heat transfer and heat of reaction. This includes concepts such as physical chemistry, an equation for heat transfer, and a basic understanding of energy and heat transfer.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Thermal Physics
A two-lesson tutorial on thermal energy in the study of physics. Lessons include informational text, interactive activities, animations, and quick, interactive comprehension check-ins.
Wisc-Online
Wisc Online: Chemistry: Heat Transfer
Answer the thermal energy transfer questions correctly, and advance around the baseball diamond.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Thermal Energy Facts
Explains what thermal energy is, describes some different types, and presents facts about each type.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Is Heat?
Students learn about the definition of heat as a form of energy and how it exists in everyday life. They also learn about the three types of heat transfer as well as the connection between heat and insulation.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 3:5 Investigation 4 Heat Misconceptions
Gloves do not give heat, but will insulate or hold in any heat that is in your hand.
University of Sydney (Australia)
Thermal Physics Module/heat Transfer 1 [Pdf]
The first of two pages discussing the different forms of thermal energy transfer. Equations expressing the rate of energy transfer by each of the methods are provided and discussed.
The Wonder of Science
The Wonder of Science: Ms Ps3 4: Thermal Energy Transfer
Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard MS-PS3-4: thermal energy transfer.
Other
Mister teacher.com: Thermal Energy
An explanation, supported by pictures and animation, of how thermal energy transfers between objects.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar Water Heater
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...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solar Power
In this activity, students learn how engineers use solar energy to heat buildings by investigating the thermal storage properties of some common materials: sand, salt, water and shredded paper. Students then evaluate the usefulness of...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy Conversions
Students evaluate various everyday energy conversion devices and draw block flow diagrams to show the forms and states of energy into and out of the device. They also identify the forms of energy that are useful and the desired output of...
California Institute of Technology
Nasa: Cool Cosmos: What Is Heat?
Eight different types of energy that can convert into thermal energy are described. A movement activity and an experiment are included in this overview of thermal energy.