Heat Transfer

NSTA’s availability of the professional books for single chapter downloading is such a great “perk” in becoming a member. I recently used the lessons available from this specific chapte... See More

NSTA’s availability of the professional books for single chapter downloading is such a great “perk” in becoming a member. I recently used the lessons available from this specific chapter, an engaging, inquiry based activity that I am sure many of you have used in your middle school science classes: Heat Exchange in Air, Water and Soil. The activity contains identified content standards from NSES and NCTM – so it is a great support to measurement skills, data gathering and analysis in aiding your math department. The lesson itself is not new to educators. I have seen it featured in many science textbooks and NASA resources. What is unique are the additional options provided for educators! Student data and analysis templates, sample rubrics with assessment suggestions, constructive extensions and discussion questions that stretch our students’ thinking into including math and science when approaching a problem are new strategies that some educators find difficult to teach. STEM Lessons and Careers are consistently a topic at hand in current workshops and administrative announcements – here we actually “see” the two disciplines come together for realistic student centered activities!

Connect Physical Science to Environment

So, we all know when the sun shines, the Earth around us warms up. But how much? Does everything warm up equally? How can we figure that out? In this short investigation, students have an op... See More

So, we all know when the sun shines, the Earth around us warms up. But how much? Does everything warm up equally? How can we figure that out? In this short investigation, students have an opportunity to investigate how quickly different substances (air, water, and sand) heat up and cool down. Lots of math connections provided, including measurement, graphing, data analysis, and reasoning skills. Great activity for guided inquiry - start with the basic materials, and make modifications from there. Good basis for discussion and application to natural phenomenon. This activity could be incorporated nicely into a unit on weather. Full activity and printables included; could use a few additional suggestions for differentiation.