7th Grade Integrated Science

Standard I, Objective 3

Title: Can You Explain It?

Description: Students will have several options to demonstrate their understanding of thermal expansion and the impact of expansion and contraction of solid materials on the design of buildings, highways, and other structures.

Materials:

For demonstration: 3 mason jars with ring lids, hot water, medium temperature water, ice water, hot pad

For student projects: computer lab, construction paper, markers, video or digital cameras (or any combination)

Procedures:

1.  Hook the students with a demonstration of your “strength”.

2.  Place 3 lids very tightly on 3 jars (you might even heat them first). Heat one large beaker of water so that it is very hot and have two that are cold.

3.  Invite the two “strongest” students in the class to come to the front and challenge them to a contest to take the lids off the jars.

4.  First have all participants try to take off the lids. Hopefully, they will not come off. Suggest that the students place their jars (lid first) in the cold water. Place yours in the hot water. Try removing the lids again and show the students how strong you are.

5.  If students suggest the contest was rigged, ask them to explain how you were helped by the hot water.

6.  Describe the three opportunities the students will have to demonstrate their knowledge about thermal expansion and contraction. They may:

  1. Film a short video warning about the risks of not understanding thermal expansion.
  2. Make a poster with two examples of controlled and uncontrolled expansion or contraction.
  3. Create a power point presentation with 5 slides showing examples of how man made structures must make room for expansion.

7.  Share the rubrics with them before beginning:

Scoring Guides:

Extension Activity a:
Students produce a 3-5 minute video / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 0
Students illustrate 2 examples each of expansion and contraction
and show how materials are controlled or not controlled accordingly. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 0
The video is creative and interesting / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 0
The content is accurate / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 0
Extension Activity b:

Students construct a poster with pictures that depict 2 examples each that show how

expansion and contraction are controlled or not controlled. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
The poster is creative and interesting / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
The poster in neat in organization and labeled correctly / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Spelling and grammar are correct. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
The content is accurate. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Extension Activity c:
Students will create a presentation on Power Point / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
The presentation is 3-5 minutes is length. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
It is creative and interesting to watch / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Two examples of contraction and expansion are accurately
shown and explained. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Spelling and grammar are correct. / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
The content is accurate.