Summary Learn what heat is, and investigate how it moves within and between materials. Science content Chemistry: Atoms, Molecules (3-7) Physics: Heat (3) Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5) Activities in this lesson Heat conduction in a metal rod Heat conduction in different materials Heat melting ice cubes Heat: What materials feel warm and cold? Procedure For younger students heat can be referred to as energy. For older students, what is happening in terms of molecules is helpful. Review states of matter: molecules in solids, liquids and gases. Demonstration to discuss what heat is (energy; the speeding up of molecules): Heat conduction in a metal rod. Experiment to investigate how fast heat moves in different materials. Relate how heat moves to every day experiences with activity: What materials feel warm? Notes For grades 2/3, explaining in terms of molecules was too confusing. Stick with heat as energy for all explanations for this grade. Grades taught Gr 2 Gr 3
