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Measuring Temperature

Measuring Temperature

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including calculators, microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, mirrors, spring scales, pan balances, triple beam balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, hot plates, meter sticks, compasses, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Essential Understanding

The student knows how to use a variety of tools, materials, equipment, and models to conduct science inquiry.

Science Background

Thermal Energy Physics: Thermalenergy.org (website) - Explains the physical science of thermal energy and relates it to heat, absolute zero, temperature scale and more.

Thermal Energy Physics
Thermalenergy.org, http://thermalenergy.org

Signature Lesson

Measuring and Comparing Temperatures: Minnesota Science Teachers Education Project (website) – Students use thermometers to collect and compare information about the temperatures of various materials and locations. They record and chart data, and graph their findings for presentation to the class.

Measuring and Comparing Temperatures
Minnesota Science Teachers Education Project, http://serc.carleton.edu

Supporting Lessons

Measuring Temperature: Animath.net (website) - Students learn to use and read a thermometer, and begin to understand the relationship between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales.

Measuring Temperature
Animath.net, http://www.animath.net

Physics in a Bottle, Expanding Thermometers: Physics Center (website) - Students build their own thermometers with a water bottle and a straw, then test the thermometer by placing it in cold and warm water.

Physics in a Bottle, Expanding Thermometers
Physics Center, http://www.physicscentral.com

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

The Mitten Problem: Power Sleuth (PDF) - This activity uses a familiar experience to promote student understanding of heat and heat sources. While this investigation specifically targets ideas related to sources of heat, it provides a stimulating and familiar context for students to explore and express their developing understanding about heat sources.

The Mitten Problem
Power Sleuth, http://www.powersleuth.org

Assessment Ideas

Prepare five or six cups of water at various temperatures by mixing different amounts of warm and cold water. Label the cups “1, 2, 3,” etc. or “a, b, c,” etc. Give each group a small amount of water from each cup and have them use a thermometer to place the cups in order from coldest to warmest.

Literature Connections

Temperature: Heating Up and Cooling Down. Stille, D. (ISBN-13: 978-1404803459)

Hot or Cold? Martin, Elena (ISBN-13: 978-0736841296)

Practical Temperature Measuring. Childs, Peter (ISBN-13: 978-0750650809)

Temperature. Rodgers, Alan (ISBN-13: 978-1432900809)

Related Science TEKS

(4.1A) Safe Practices and Equipment
The student is expected to demonstrate safe practices and the use of safety equipment as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations.

(4.2A) Plan and Implement Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and implement descriptive investigations, including asking well-defined questions, making inferences, and selecting and using appropriate equipment or technology to answer his/her questions.

(4.2B) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect and record data by observing and measuring, using the metric system, and using descriptive words and numerals such as labeled drawings, writing, and concept maps.

(4.2C) Graphs, Tables, Charts                    
The student is expected to construct simple tables, charts, bar graphs, and maps using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate data.

(4.2D) Analyze Evidence and Explain                          
The student is expected to analyze data and interpret patterns to construct reasonable explanations from data that can be observed and measured.

(4.2E) Value of Repeated Experiments                
The student is expected to perform repeated investigations to increase the reliability of results.

(4.2F) Communicate Conclusions                
The student is expected to communicate valid, oral, and written results supported by data.

Related Math TEKS

4.11A  The student is expected to estimate and use measurement tools to determine length (including perimeter), area, capacity and weight/mass using standard units SI (metric) and customary.

4.11B   The student is expected to perform simple conversions between different units of length, between different units of capacity, and between different units of weight within the customary measurement system.

4.11C   The student is expected to use concrete models of standard cubic units to measure volume.

4.11D  The student is expected to estimate volume in cubic units.

4.11E   The student is expected to explain the difference between weight and mass.

4.12A  The student is expected to use a thermometer to measure temperature and changes in temperature.

Additional Resources

Temperature Game: NASA - (website) - This interactive online game teaches students about the relative temperatures of different locations and objects.

Temperature Game
NASA, www.nasa.gov

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