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.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Energy, Heat, and Temperature
As part of a larger resource called "Getting started in Chemistry," this page examines various topics related to energy. The types of energy discussed include kinetic, potential, thermal, and chemical.
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.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Law of Conservation of Energy: Heat Transfer
Given illustrations, scenarios, descriptions, and/or diagrams, students will demonstrate understanding of heat transfer.
American Chemical Society
Middle School Chemistry: Heat, Temperature, and Conduction
Explore heat, temperature, and the conduction of thermal energy through different materials.
Simon Fraser University
Chem1 Virtual Textbook: The Basics of Energy, Heat, and Work
With an overview of topics related to chemical energetics, this site provides a foundation to a study of thermodynamics and its relation to energy, heat, and work.
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.
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.
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.
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas
State Energy Conservation Office: Electricity From the Sun [Pdf]
Discusses forms of renewable energy that rely on the sun. For example, wind is created when solar energy heats the air, and biomass is solar energy that has been stored in plants.
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.
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.
Physics4kids
Physics 4 Kids: Heat and Thermal Energy
When scientists originally studied thermodynamics, they were really studying heat and thermal energy. Heat can do anything: move from one area to another, get atoms excited, and even increase energy. Did we say energy? That's what heat...
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...