Lesson Plan

Hot Wire S’mores

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

The proof is in the marshmallows. Believing that electric energy can transform into heat energy can be abstract, but a hands-on instructional activity gives pupils a concrete example. Young scientists cut marshmallows with copper wires before and after exposing them to electricity. The electricity makes the wires warm, affecting the way they cut the marshmallows and proving that electric energy becomes heat energy.

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Instructional Ideas
  • Bring in a space heater to show pupils how the coils change temperature with the strength of the electricity
Classroom Considerations
  • Allow time to collect and prepare materials prior to the activity
  • Review safety procedures for working with electricity and heat
  • Fits as lesson 12 in a 14-part unit on magnetism
Pros
  • Includes review of important background information
  • Provides sentence frames to facilitate questioning and assessment
Cons
  • None