You Will Need
Provided Resources
- Investigation guidance and equipment
Additional Resources
- Metal cup/coffee
- Range of containers (see list)
- Video recording devices
Weblinks
Thermal insulators and conductors quiz from www.educationquizzes.com
Keeping it hot... Keeping it cold
Science Year 5
This unit is part of
Year 5 Science Music Festival Materials
Objectives
Ice creams need to stay cold, and hot chocolates and coffees need to stay hot. Can you investigate the insulating properties of a range of materials and make recommendations to food stall holders?
Science Objectives
i) Compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, transparency, and conductivity (electrical and thermal).
ii) Give reasons, based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic.
Working Scientifically
- Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
- Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
- Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, and line graphs.
- Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
- Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays & presentations.
Lesson Planning
Teaching
- Plan and carry out an investigation on given materials to explore thermal insulating properties.
- Record and present findings, identifying the best materials for keeping liquids hot or ice cold.
- Suggest uses for thermal conductors in food prep.
Activities
- Be able to define thermal conductor and thermal insulator.
- Plan and set up an investigation to determine which materials make the best thermal insulators.
- Record findings in table and line graph form.
- Recommend materials to store hot drinks and ice cream in based on investigation findings.
Investigation - exploring/fair testing
Investigate thermal insulating properties of materials to keep refreshments hot or cold.
Vocabulary
Variables, accuracy, precision, line graphs, causal relationship, degree of trust, thermal insulator/conductor