The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Thermal Explorers
Thermal Explorers
A 6-9th Grade STEM Lesson
Julia Wright
January 2024
Notes for Teachers
Students will conduct a hands-on experiment measuring and comparing temperatures around the classroom.
Teach or review mean, median, and mode before this lesson.
Notes for Teachers
Important Safety Note for Instructors:
Please ensure to instruct students on the proper and safe use of the Infrared (IR) temperature guns. Specifically, emphasize that the IR/Laser should never be pointed at people, particularly at the eyes, as it can be hazardous. If there is any concern about the adherence to this safety rule by students, it is advisable to reconsider the feasibility of conducting this activity.
Math/Science Standards
Math:
A1.S-ID.A Summarize, represent, and interpret data on a single count or measurement variable.
Mathematical Practices:
8.MP.4: Model with mathematics
8:MP.6 Attend to precision
Science:
HS.P3U2.7: Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain how Newton’s laws are used in engineering and technologies to create products to serve human ends.
HS+CP1U1.3: Analyze and interpret data to develop and support an explanation for the relationships between kinetic molecular theory and gas laws.
ISTE Standards
1.1: Empowered Learner
1.3: Knowledge Constructor
1.6: Creative Communicator
1.7: Global Collaborator
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Assign small groups.
Each group receives:
Agenda (45 to 60 Minutes)
Mean, Median, Mode - Helpful Videos
How to calculate
Discusses the uses of mean, median, and mode
Objective(s):
Students will use an infrared (IR) temperature gun to measure temperatures at various locations in the classroom. They will calculate the mean, median, and mode of these temperatures and compare these measures of central tendency with the ambient air temperature.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
How do surface temperatures in various parts of our classroom differ, and what do these differences reveal about our immediate environment?
By measuring these temperatures and analyzing them through the lens of statistics, can we gain insights into the thermal behavior of our classroom and compare it with the overall ambient air temperature?
Before You Begin - Making Predictions
Walk around your classroom. Notice the temperature in various parts of the room.
Feel things: Walls, furniture, books, etc.
Share out 3 things you notice with your classmates.
Predictions - Which areas or items do you predict will be warmer or colder than others?
Hands-on Activity
Student Instructions
Pair students together. Take turns using the IR temperature gun and recording the temperatures.
Safety first!!
Worksheet
Student Instructions
Use this worksheet to record your data and make your calculations.
Record three things you noticed and three things you still wonder about in the boxes.
Notice and Wonder
Are any of the questions in your “Notice and Wonder” box testable?
How could you create an experiment to test your hypothesis?
Were you predictions correct?
You may have noticed that metal surfaces felt cooler than wood surfaces.
Why could that be?
Here’s an explanation from Khan Academy:
Career Connections
What types of careers might use an IR Temperature gun?
Career Connections
What types of careers might use an IR Temperature gun?
Mechanics
HVAC Technicians
Food service
Computer/Electronics Repair
Animal Care
Assessment Options
You can assess learning by reviewing the mean, median, and mode calculations on the worksheet.
You could assess learning with self-reflection questions.
Differentiation
Provide students directions or worked examples for calculations.
Reduce the number of temperatures that need to be collected.
Median is easier to calculate with odd numbers of data points.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Require an even number of temperature readings (more complex calculation).
Have students conduct the experiment different times of day or different seasons of the year.
Compare your classroom to another classroom in the building.
Investigate why some parts of the classroom might be warmer or cooler than others.
Place various colored construction paper in direct sunlight. Is there a difference in the surface temperature? Why?