Lesson Overview
This lesson focuses on insulators and conductors in order to demonstrate the transfer of heat and cold. The lesson makes connections to the profession of a Firefighter so students understand how STEM skills connect to real world situations. Students will examine various materials to determine which best keep hot or cold in and which transfer the hot or cold the most efficiently.
The teacher will use the Eye Wonder: Firefighter video to encourage students to focus on specific sections and use a variety of disciplinary literacy strategies to answer questions
Essential Question
How do some objects stay cool while others get hot when heat is applied near them?
Grade(s):
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
3
- Eyewonder Firefighter
- http://bpes.bp.com/ (see instructional materials for details)
- 1:1 (laptop, Chromebook, tablet, desk top) or one teacher computer and interactive whiteboard
- Two white pieces of paper for Formative Assessment section (per student)
- Opening activity observation sheet (can be taped into notebook when complete)
- 1 bag of ice cubes per class
- Aluminum foil folded up along the sides to it is tall enough to hold several ice cubes
- 1 Styrofoam cup (all the same size) per group. (12 oz. or larger)
- 1 plastic cup per group (12 oz. or larger, should be same size as Styrofoam cups)
- Paper/paper-wax cups (12 oz. or larger, should be same size as Styrofoam cups if possible)
- Thermometer
- Keep It In or Out (for activity)
- Website for 1:1 or whole class: * You (instructor) will need to register ahead of time using manual registration. Registration is free. http://bpes.bp.com/primary-resources/science/ages-7-to-9/materials/thermal-conductors-and-insulators-online-experiment/#article48357
- To get there manually go to: http://bpes.bp.com/ . Click on “Primary Resources”: Science: 7-9: Materials: Thermal Conductors and Insulators online experiment.
- The top one is an animation review of insulators and conductors (approximately 1 minute)
- The next one is an interactive about conductors and insulators. As a teacher, to view them, click on “launch” for each.
- To give students access, click on “share with students”. You will be given a code for each. Students will go to http://bpes.bp.com/ and click on “student code” which is at the top of the page. They then enter the code.
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Log In to View LessonStandards
- Physical Science: Properties and Changes in Matter
- 3.P.2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties used to classify matter and how heat energy can change matter from one state to another.
- 3.P.2A Matter exists in several different states and is classified based on observable and measurable properties. Matter can be changed from one state to another when heat (thermal energy) is added or removed.
- 3.P.2A.1 Analyze and interpret data from observations and measurements to describe and compare the physical properties of matter (including length, mass, temperature, and volume of liquids).
- 3.P.2A.2 Construct explanations using observations and measurements to describe how matter can be classified as a solid, liquid or gas.
- 3.P.2A.3 Plan and conduct scientific investigations to determine how changes in heat (increase or decrease) change matter from one state to another (including melting, freezing, condensing, boiling, and evaporating).
- 3.P.2A.4 Obtain and communicate information to compare how different processes (including burning, friction, and electricity) serve as sources of heat energy.
- 3.P.2A.5 Define problems related to heat transfer and design devices or solutions that facilitate (conductor) or inhibit (insulator) the transfer of heat.
- 3.P.2A Matter exists in several different states and is classified based on observable and measurable properties. Matter can be changed from one state to another when heat (thermal energy) is added or removed.
- 3.P.2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties used to classify matter and how heat energy can change matter from one state to another.
- Science and Engineering Practices
- 3.S.1 The student will use the science and engineering practices, including the processes and skills of scientific inquiry, to develop understandings of science content.
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Log In to View LessonLesson Partners: S2TEM Centers SC, Knowitall.org, ETV Education