How heat reflects off the playground -
Objectives:
Students see an example of a simple single variable experiment. Students write predictions and later conclusions. Students read thermometers to make comparisons and draw conclusions.
Materials:
Procedure:
All in the sun - different surfaces.
Place the thermometers in two different places at the same time. One should be on either concrete or asphalt. The other should be on grass or in a flower bed. Make sure both thermometers are in full sunlight. Have students record the temperature in writing including labeling where the thermometer was placed.
All on the same surface - comparing sunlight to shade.
Compare shade to sunlight on the same surface to change the independent variable. You may place two on concrete with one in the shade and the other in the sun. Compare other areas such as gravel, sand, wet grassy areas and so forth. As long as all the readings are in the sun or all in the shade you can compare any number of ground surface areas that are found on your campus. As long as the surface area is the same in an experiment you can compare the temperature difference between the sun and shade of the same surface.
Have the students read the different thermometers in turns so that each can record the difference on their own page. For projects like these I usually have small groups rotate from one thermometer to the other and then to free play during outdoor recess. Smaller groups at a time gives me the personal attention time to check that each student records the temperatures accurately and that they are making sense of the activity.
Close:
Have students speculate or (if possible) explain why the two thermometers read differently. Have students feel with their hands the area of concrete of asphalt and then have students feel the grassy area to confirm that the concrete or asphalt is noticeably hotter than the grass. Be careful with the glass involved and let them handle the thermometers (Do not use mercury - alcohol thermometers only) . Have students invent versions of the same experiment. Ask students to summarize all the notes they have taken.
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