Exploring Thermal Energy and Heat Transfer
Grade 2-3 Science Discovering how heat moves around us
What is Thermal Energy?
Thermal energy is the energy that makes things warm It comes from natural sources like the sun and fire We can feel it when we touch warm objects It helps us understand why things get hot or cold
Let's Explore Heat Transfer!
We'll visit 5 different stations Each station shows how heat moves Work in groups of 5 students Spend 5 minutes at each station Use your senses to observe what happens
Conduction - Heat Through Touch
Heat moves through solid objects by touching Metal spoons get warm faster than wooden ones The heat travels from the warm water to your hand Different materials conduct heat differently
Convection - Heat Through Movement
Heat moves through liquids and gases Warm water rises and cool water sinks This creates moving currents Like when you see steam rising from hot soup
Radiation - Heat Through Space
Heat can travel without touching anything The sun warms us from far away Heat lamps work the same way You can feel warmth without direct contact
How Thermal Energy Changes Matter
{"left":"Ice cubes melt when heated\nWater gets warmer when thermal energy is added\nSteam forms when water gets very hot","right":"Things expand when they get warm\nSolids can become liquids\nLiquids can become gases"}
Draw Your Thermal Energy Discovery
Choose one type of heat transfer you learned about Draw a picture showing how it works Label your drawing with new vocabulary words Share your drawing with a partner