1-Pager
All grades  Project 4 weeks

"Heatwave Heroes: Exploring Thermal Energy"

Karen M
MS-PS3-4
MS-PS3-4
6-8.AG.5.3
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this "Thermal Energy" unit is to immerse 8th-grade students in a hands-on, project-based exploration of thermal energy concepts. Through engaging experiments and real-world applications, students will deepen their understanding of temperature, heat transfer, and energy dynamics. This unit aims to foster critical thinking, self-directed learning, and collaboration, empowering students to apply scientific principles to design sustainable solutions and understand natural processes.

Learning goals

Students will conduct experiments to measure temperature changes in various materials and calculate specific heat capacities, deepening their understanding of thermal energy transfer. They will design and test solar ovens and sustainable heating systems, applying scientific principles to real-world challenges. Through collaborative projects, students will explore the role of thermal energy in natural processes, such as the water cycle, and present their findings through creative mediums like videos and art. By engaging with community partners, students will connect classroom learning to real-world applications, enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Throughout the unit, students will reflect on their learning journey, documenting insights and receiving feedback to refine their understanding and projects.
Standards
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] MS-PS3-4 - Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] MS-PS3-4 - Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] 6-8.AG.5.3 - Energy may take different forms (e.g. energy in fields, thermal energy, energy of motion).
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will design and build solar ovens using recycled materials to test their effectiveness in cooking simple foods, documenting their results and sharing them at a community event. They will also construct small-scale models of sustainable heating and cooling systems, such as solar or geothermal designs, which will be showcased in a community exhibition with feedback from experts. Additionally, students will produce a video documentary on the role of thermal energy in natural processes and everyday life, which will be screened at a student film festival, followed by a Q&A session.

Launch

Kick off the "Thermal Energy" unit with a "Thermal Energy Fair" where students rotate through interactive stations. At each station, they experiment with everyday materials like ice, metal spoons, and hot water to observe and measure thermal energy transfer. Community partners and experts guide these hands-on activities, sparking curiosity and engagement with the topic.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Thermal Energy Innovation Showcase,' where they present their designs for efficient heating and cooling systems to a panel of experts, receiving feedback and recognition for their innovative ideas. They will also create a 'Thermal Energy Art Gallery,' showcasing artistic representations of thermal energy concepts, accompanied by written scientific explanations. Additionally, a 'Thermal Energy Film Festival' will feature student-created videos or animations explaining key thermal energy concepts, screened for an audience of peers, teachers, and community members.