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D.I.Y Cooler

(It’s summer time!)

A 8th grade STEM lesson

Author:

Marinelle Santos

Date: May 2023

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Notes for teachers

Students are free to choose which materials they want to use as long as it is part of the teacher’s list of materials.

List of Materials

Worksheet
plastic cups
masking tape
Glue
construction paper
index card
felt cloth
Aluminum foil
plastic wrap
bubble wrap
cardboard
thermometer
Scissors

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Standards

MS-PS3-4. Plan an investigation to determine the relationship among the energy transferred, type of matter, the mass and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.

Standards

MS-PS3-5. Construct, use and present arguments to support the claim that when kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

Arizona Science Standard

8.P4U1.3 Construct an explanation on how energy can be transferred from one energy store to another.

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Objective(s):

I can apply the knowledge of thermal energy to design, build and test a container that keeps cold beverages cold. (MS-PS3-3)

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Agenda (60 minutes)

Thermal Properties of Materials

When we bake something in the oven, we use dishes made up of glass, ceramic or metal instead of plastic. Some materials can stand up to the heat of an oven better than others. Materials responds to heat in different ways. The thermal properties of an object determine how it will respond to heat.

Conductors and Insulators

A material that conducts heat well is called a conductor. Metal such as silver are good conductors. Some materials are good conductors because because of the particles they contain and how those particles arranged. However, heat also transfer out of conductors easily.

Insulators are materials that do not conduct heat well. Other good insulators include air and wool. For example, wool blankets slow the transfer of heat out of your body.

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

How do different materials respond to heat?
How can you apply knowledge of thermal energy to design, build and test a container that keeps cold beverages cold?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Click the link below to see full hands-on activity instructions

DIY Cooler Worksheet

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Assessment

Please click the link below to see a teacher made rubric for assessment.

Worksheet with Rubric

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Differentiation

Students that are having hard time to follow the procedures will be given more time to finish the project.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

After the students build their own cooler they will explain how the materials they used lessen the transfer of heat.

Once their cooler is tested and got the result they will write down what things they should have done to make their cooler more efficient.