6th grade
STEM
Standard VI
Objective 1
Heat
Heat Transfer
Science
Standard VI, Objective 1
 Objective 1:
Investigate the movement of heat
between objects by conduction, convection, and
radiation.
A Compare materials that conduct heat to materials
that insulate the transfer of heat energy.
C Describe the movement of heat from warmer
objects to cooler objects by conduction and
convection.
E Design and conduct an investigation on the
movement of heat energy.
Heat Transfer
Math
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
RP
6
3. Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and
mathematical problems, e.g., by reasoning about tables of
equivalent ratios, tape diagrams, double number line
diagrams, or equations.
d. Use ratio reasoning to convert measurement units;
manipulate and transform units appropriately when multiplying
or dividing quantities.
Lesson 1
Heat Transfer Review
Three Types of Heat Transfer
 Review the three types of heat transfer with examples.
1. Conduction: Must be touching.
o Heating on a burner, ironing, walking on hot surfaces,
adjusting hot and cold water out of a faucet
2. Convection: Hot air rising and cold are sinking, going
around in a convection circle.
o Candle burning, heat escaping from boiling water, hot
air in a room rising, sun heating the air--thermals, hot
air balloon.
3. Radiation: Direct heat; heat travels through all
mediums.
o Campfires, toasters, floor heaters, UV rays.
Lesson 1
Literacy
Heat Transfer Discussion
World Book Online
http://worldbookonline.com/student/printarticle?id=ar277780&
st=insulations
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
What are the comfortable
temperatures we like to be at?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
What are the comfortable
temperatures we like to be at?
• We like to be at a temperature
between 68 degrees and 78
degrees.
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
Where are the comfortable places to
be without the use of man-made
energy?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
Where are the comfortable places to
be without the use of man-made
energy?
• Spring and fall outside, daytime
• Air Conditioned Rooms
• Summer outside in the evening time
• Summer outside above the 60-degree
latitude line
• San Diego type place
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
When it is hot or cold inside, how
do we make ourselves comfortable
inside our homes, cars, or other
buildings?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
When it is hot or cold inside, how
do we make ourselves comfortable
inside our homes, cars, or other
buildings?
• We turn on the air conditioner in the
summer time.
• We turn on the furnace in the winter
time.
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
When it is hot or cold inside, how
do we make ourselves comfortable
when we are outside?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
When it is hot or cold inside, how
do we make ourselves comfortable
when we are outside?
• We wear thicker or more insulated
clothing that keeps us warm in the
cooler months.
• We wear light-weight clothing and
light-colored clothing that keeps us
cool in the warmer months.
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
How are the three types of heat
transfers working when the
temperature around us is cold?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
How are the three types of heat transfers
working when the temperature around
us is cold?
The sun is shining on us more on an indirect angle
toward us in SLC. Therefore:
Conduction: Things that are outside in the sun are
usually not hot to the touch.
Convection: Very little thermal heating going on
outside. There are many organized storms coming
from the west moving east.
Radiation: We don’t need to worry about UV rays
from the sun.
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
How are the three types of heat
transfers working when the
temperature around us is hot?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
How are the three types of heat transfers
working when the temperature around us is
hot?
The sun is shining on us more at a direct
angle in SLC. Therefore:
Conduction: Things that are outside in the
sun are usually hot to the touch.
Convection: Summer thermal heating
causing summer thunder/lightning storms.
Radiation: We need to worry about UV
rays from the sun.
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
How are the three types of heat
transfers working when the
temperature around us is just right?
Lesson 2
Heat Transfer Brain Drain
How are the three types of heat transfers working
when the temperature around us is just right?
The sun is shining on us less at a direct angle than during
the summer, but more of a direct angle than during the
winter. Therefore:
Conduction: Things that are outside in the sun get
somewhat hot to the touch, but cool off quickly in the
early evening.
Convection: There is some thermal heating causing
thunder/lightning storms. There are more organized
storms forming coming from the west moving east.
Radiation: We need to worry about UV rays from the
sun.
Lesson 2
Bottom Line—Conclusions
Just about every evening it is nice to be
outside during the last spring, summer and
early fall.
There are many days in the spring that are
nice during the day.
There are many days in the fall that are nice
during the day.
To stay comfortable during the summer and
wintertime we need heaters and air
conditioners to keep us comfortable.
Lesson 3
What Does It Take to Stay Comfortable in
the Summer or Winter?
To stay comfortable in the cold and warm
months it takes energy to do so.
During the summer we need use a lot of
electricity to keep us cool in our buildings
and cars.
During the winter we not only use electricity,
but we also use natural gas to keep us
warm.
Others may use wood and coal stoves too.
Lesson 3
So that our air conditioners and furnaces are
not running 24 hours per day, what is
needed in our walls to slow down the heat
from the sun entering the building in the
summer and heat escaping in the winter?
We need some type of insulation to slow
down the heat from passing through the
walls of our homes.
Why do we want to do this?
1.
2.
It saves us money.
It saves energy.
This is a challenge we face everyday.
Let’s talk about how we can do this.
Lesson 3
Heat Transfer Lesson
What’s Warm and What’s Cool?
Lesson Objective: To find out why different objects feel
warmer or cooler even though they are the same
temperature.
Materials:
o Metal, Cardboard, Glass, Wood, Cloth, Styrofoam,
Plastic
Directions:
o Put the objects in a row on your desks.
o Feel each object for differences in temperature.
o Put the objects in order of warmest to coolest.
o Even though they are all the same temperature, by
looking at the material, explain why the temperatures
feel different.
Lesson 4
Global Challenge
Designing Homes Using Less
Energy and Maintaining a
Comfortable Temperature
Here Comes the Sun
http://vimeo.com/61897921
Lesson 4
Global Challenge
Discussion
1.
In other parts of the world what do people
use to keep their houses warm and cool?
2.
3.
Why is it important to do this?
How can we learn from others around the
world in the use of insulation?
Lesson 5
Designing Homes Using Less Energy and
Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature
Keeping Your Cup of Water Cold
Science Connection
Materials for insulation:
•
bubble wrap, newspaper, fabric, Styrofoam peanuts, bulletin board
paper, cardboard, plastic bags, aluminum foil, cotton balls, plastic
sheets, etc.
Other Materials:
•
tape, string, rubber bands, Solo cup, ice, water, thermometer
Lesson 5
Designing Homes Using Less Energy and
Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature
Instructions:
1.
With the materials available, design a type of insulation that you
think will keep a cup of water cold.
2.
You need to design your own lid with a hole for the thermometer.
3.
Put together the designed insulation and put the cup in the
insulation or wrap your cup with the insulation.
4.
Take a temperature reading every 5 minutes.
5.
Design a graph to show your results.
6.
Discussion of the results.
Lesson 5
Designing Homes Using Less Energy and
Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature
Ready, Set, Go
1.
http://tryengineering.org/lesson-plans/keep-it-cool
Lesson 5
Designing Homes Using Less Energy and
Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature
Keeping Your Cup of Water Cold
Math Connection

Graphing the results
Lesson 5
Designing Homes Using Less Energy and
Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature
Related Links for Heat and Insulation

Blubber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I96BzSNNqE

The Heat Loss Project
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/stem-lesson-ideas-heatloss-project

Related topics and activities

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/keepacube.html

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/heatsavingdevice.html

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/hotairballoon.html
Lesson 5
Designing Homes Using Less Energy and
Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature
Literacy Connections
What is Heat- Readworks.org
http://www.readworks.org/passages/what-heat