Search Results
Showing results 1 to 20 of 21

Amazing Albedo
Source Institutions
In this experiment, learners work in teams to investigate how the color of a surface influences its ability to reflect light and therefore heat.

Ice Melt
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners will explore basic information about thermodynamics by experimenting with ice. Learners will compare ice melting rates on metal pans or plastic cutting boards.

Illuminations on Rates of Reactions
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners investigate the speed of chemical reactions with light sticks. Learners discover that reactions can be sped up or slowed down due to temperature changes.

Get the Porridge Just Right
Source Institutions
Learners set up three different bowls, each with a different mass of oatmeal. Learners monitor the temperature of the oatmeal and find that larger masses take longer to cool.

Crunch Time
Source Institutions
In this quick and easy activity and/or demonstration, learners use two empty 2-liter bottles and hot tap water to illustrate the effect of heat on pressure.

Plaster of Paris
Source Institutions
In this activity (page 6 of the PDF), learners will observe both a chemical and a physical change.

Over the Hill
Source Institutions
In this physics activity, learners construct a small-scale version of a classic carnival game.

Convection Current
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make their own heat waves in an aquarium.

Using Solar Energy
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners discover how solar energy can be used to heat water.

Shrinkers
Source Institutions
In this hands-on activity, learners use heat to shrink samples of polystyrene plastic (#6 recycle code). Learners compare the size and shape of the plastic pieces before and after shrinking.

Cooling Off
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners are introduced to challenges of maintaining temperatures while living in space.

Solar Water Heater
Learners work in teams to design and build solar water heating devices that mimic those used in residences to capture energy in the form of solar radiation and convert it to thermal energy.

Fly a Hot-Air Balloon
Source Institutions
Learners assemble a hot-air balloon from tissue paper. The heated air (from a heat gun) inside the balloon is less dense than the surrounding air and causes the balloon to float.

Cake by Conduction
Source Institutions
In this demonstration, cook a cake using the heat produced when the cake batter conducts an electric current.

A Crayon Rock Cycle- Metamorphic
Source Institutions
This is part 2 of the three-part "Crayon Rock Cycle" activity and must be done after part 1: Sedimentary Rocks. In this activity, learners explore how metamorphic rocks form.

Give and Take
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners explore liquid crystals, light and temperature. Using a postcard made of temperature-sensitive liquid crystal material, learners monitor temperature changes.

A Crayon Rock Cycle - Igneous
Source Institutions
This is part 3 of the three-part "Crayon Rock Cycle" activity. Before starting this section, learners must have completed part 1: sedimentary rock and part 2: metamorphic rocks.

Cook with a Solar Oven
Source Institutions
In this activity, learners make their own solar oven to bake s'mores and learn about how solar energy is absorbed on Earth.

How Greenhouse Gases Absorb Heat
Source Institutions
Learners observe two model atmospheres -- one with normal atmospheric composition and another with an elevated concentration of carbon dioxide.

Geyser
Source Institutions
This Exploratorium activity can be used in many contexts because geysers are great opportunities for learning about heat and temperature changes as well as geological/space science phenomena.