This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 5th Grade Science.

In this virtual resource, students will explore how convection drives global weather patterns such as the ENSO.

The wakelet site features videos demonstrating hands-on activities for students to complete at school in small, socially-distanced settings. Activities may also be adapted for at-home learning. Some activities incorporate an outdoor component, acknowledging the need to balance screen time with green time to support mental health. Tips for taking your students outside can be found here: https://education.eol.org/cnc_materials/TipsForTeachingOutside.pdf

This article describes the basics of thermography or thermal imaging, and how this technique can inspire a data collection activity to teach about heat transfer and energy efficiency.

In this lesson the students will conduct an experiment using hot and cold water to understand convection.

Students measure, record, and compare three different temperatures of water to the surrounding air temperature. Students then record them on a chart and graph the results. Students observe the cooling and warming of water by observing and recording the change temperatures over time. Students then try to formulate explanations for their findings and apply them to real life situations. A student task card and a rubric is included with this resource.

In this lesson, students set up a simple experiment to answer questions about how different surfaces on earth retain heat. They will practice taking measurements with a thermometer and test the heat capacity of water versus soil.

This lesson teaches students about heat transfer and introduces them to the three types of heat transfer - convection, radiation, and conduction. Students will then apply their understanding to weather.