Andrea Koelzer ESSC 311 Lesson Plan

Andrea Koelzer ESSC 311 Lesson Plan

Leah Wojcik Shook 02/25/2010

What is Energy Transfer?

A Look at Radiation, Conduction, and Convection

Introduction

•  Presenters: Andrea Koelzer and Leah Wojcik Shook

•  Standard: P.EN.06.41 (Explain how different forms of energy can be transferred from one place to another by radiation, conduction, or convection.)

•  Grade Level: 6

•  Lesson Title: What is Energy Transfer?

•  Lesson Overview:

After completion of the lesson, students will be able to:

–  Make observations and comparisons based on data collected.

–  Understand and explain how energy is transferred by the three methods outlined.

–  Make inferences and draw conclusions based on observations and data.

Materials Needed

•  Surface heated by sun (such as the outside of a building)

•  Candles

•  Scissors

•  String

•  Paper

•  Tape

•  Matches

•  Handouts #1 and #2

Phase One: Engage the Learner

•  Ask students to relate their everyday experiences with the idea of the transfer of energy.

•  For example, ask students to think of a time when they were in the sun (the beach, playing a sport, etc.) and how did they feel. Have the students compare that to a time when they were sitting in the shade.

Phase Two: Explore the Concept

•  Part One: Radiation

–  Students will go outside and stand in the shade and make an observation about what they feel.

–  Students then stand in the sunlight and observe how they feel.

•  Part Two: Conduction

–  Students will first touch their cheek with the palm of their hand.

–  Students will then touch an object (such as a building wall) that has been warmed by the sun using the palm of their hand.

–  Finally students will touch their cheek again with the same hand and observe any differences in temperature.

•  Part Three: Convection

–  Students will use a candle, scissors, tape, string, and Handout #2 to explore convection.

–  Students will cut out the spiral on Handout #2 and tape the string the center of the spiral.

–  Using extreme caution, students will light the candle and hold the string and spiral above the flame, careful not to let anything touch the flame.

–  Students will observe the movement of the spiral after a few moments.

Phase Three: Explain the Concept and Define the Terms

•  Instructor will use the experiment to help the students determine the definition of the terms “radiation,” “conduction,” and “convection.”

•  Instructor will explain the definitions of the terms in relation to molecules and the movement of the sun’s heat in rays.

•  Students will use their definitions to explain their observations in the experiment.

Phase Four: Elaborate on the Concept

•  Students will gather into groups of approximately three or four students each.

•  Students will be given a handout with various situations in which energy is transferred. Groups are to discuss the situations and determine which type of energy transfer is being performed.

•  Groups will share their ideas with the class.

Phase Five: Evaluate Students’ Understanding of the Concept

•  Teacher will evaluate the responses of the groups to the handout with examples.

•  Further explanation and discussion will follow if necessary.

References

•  The experiment used was taken from the Michigan Reach Out! website.

•  The URL is: http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/caps/htransfer.html.

•  The energy transfer worksheet was taken from the Interactive Science Teacher website.

•  The URL is: http://www.interactivescienceteacher.com/heat-quiz.asp.