February 7, 2017
Thermal energy—the energy that is generated and measured by heat—is such a wonderful topic that can be approached in many ways. So many questions to explore! What is heat? How does heat travel? What’s the difference between heat and temperature? How do we measure temperature? What are conductors? Insulators? And on and on…
There are times when a video offers the easiest, most accessible way to explain a concept. This is certainly true when it comes to thermal energy. Feel free to share this collection of videos with your students! If you find a video on thermal energy that you think deserves to be added here, please let us know in the Comments section below.
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College level, Elementary level, energy, experiments, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: conductors, Educational Innovations, energy, experiments, fun experiments, hands-on activity, homeschool, insulators, kinetic energy, parent friendly, PBL, PhBL, PhenoBL, phenomenon based learning, science, STEM, thermal energy, variables | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
February 7, 2017
These days, thermal energy has become—dare we say it?—an even hotter topic than ever! All over the world, researchers are working to discover new ways to store thermal energy, transform it into usable power (i.e., electricity), and more. Although it may be years before some of these discoveries can be put to practical use, it’s exciting see how this area of science is thriving.
Here are just a few of the headlines that caught our attention in recent weeks. Share them with your students! If you find an interesting article on thermal energy, please post it in our Comments section.
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1 Comment | College level, Elementary level, energy, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: Educational Innovations, green energy, homeschool, insulators, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, science, STEM, thermal energy | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
February 7, 2017
When it comes to thermal energy lessons, we are reminded of the potato chip slogan, “Nobody can eat just one.”
There are so many awesome thermal energy lessons on the Internet, we couldn’t pick just one! Take a moment to review the lesson plans and interactive classroom lab ideas below. We’re certain you will find something to use with your students.
If you come across any thermal energy lessons you’d like to share, please leave us a comment below! Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | College level, Elementary level, energy, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: conductors, Educational Innovations, energy, experiments, fun experiments, green energy, hands-on activity, homeschool, insulators, kinetic energy, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, science, STEM, thermal energy, variables | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
February 7, 2017
Even toddlers understand the concepts of hot and cold. And we’re all familiar with the plight of an ice cream cone on a hot day, right? So does that mean it’s easy to teach the concept of thermal energy? Not necessarily. It’s important to start with clear definitions of terms such as “heat” and “temperature.” Many students cannot discriminate between these terms or may use them interchangeably. This confusion can present a barrier to understanding other important physical science concepts.
One of the best ways to explain thermal energy to your students is by using real-life examples, which is why we’ve compiled a bunch of curiosity-inducing questions below. Use these questions to start a thermal energy discussion with your students. If you have other questions you’d like to share, please write to us in the Comments section below.
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Leave a Comment » | College level, Elementary level, energy, High School level, Middle School level, Physics | Tagged: Educational Innovations, energy, homeschool, insulators, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, science, thermal energy | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
August 15, 2013
by: Janice VanCleave
Identify the Physical Properties of Mystery Artifacts
The mystery artifacts used for this investigation are special and can be purchased at Educational Innovations. The artifacts are called “Ice Melting Blocks,” but this name gives too much information. Prior to the investigation, I suggest that you introduce them as artifacts, objects that have been intentionally made or produced for a certain purpose.
Objective:
To investigate mystery artifacts and determine their possible purposes as well as the real or imaginary culture that might have made them. Set the stage by placing the mystery artifacts on a table and covering them with a cloth. If possible, screen off the investigating area so that only the “student science explorers” can view the blocks.
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4 Comments | Elementary level, energy, experiments, Middle School level | Tagged: conductors, Educational Innovations, experiments, ice melting blocks, insulators, Janice VanCleave, mystery, observation time, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, science explorer, science explorers, scientific method, student science | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor
