Teaching insulation - keeping hot things hot, and cold things cold

Science - Properties of Materials - Insulation

This lesson perfectly fits with the snowman in a coat thinking activity.

Snowman insulation concept cartoon:

In my Science class I always make sure to conduct a hot temperature insulation investigation before this cold temperature lesson. We will usually insulate cups of hot water with different materials (paper towels, cotton wool, tin foil, bubble wrap) to see which material is the best insulator.

In the next lesson I show my students the above concept cartoon. Some students still need to have the common myth dispelled that the insulator generates heat. We repeat the previous experiment by replacing the hot water with icy cold water.

During this student-run investigation I set up an insulated ice cream demonstration. The students are shocked to see me handling the tasty treats with such disrespect! The shock on their faces when they witness the un-insulated ice cream melt away is equal to their reaffirmed learning that insulators keep warm things warm and cold things cold!

The Wind Power Challenge - Technology Justice

STEM - Technology/ Engineering - Wind Turbines

Practical Action (http://practicalaction.org/) is amongst my favourite educational charities.

The simplest technologies can have the biggest impact...

Practical action is concerned with Technology Justice - they enable developing communities to fulfill their potential by using technology to solve practical issues surrounding poverty.

The Wind Power Challenge requires students to think about the efficiency of sustainable power generation.

My students loved designing and creating their own wind turbines. Varying shapes, sizes, weights and materials were considered in the process. A small hair dryer provided us with wind, the students provided the endeavour and engineering skills!

Battleships in Maths. Let the games begin!

Maths - Shape - Grid Coordinates

Always a firm favourite! Students quickly learn the need for mathematical accuracy and concise communication skills when fighting it out on a Battleships grid.

The biggest problem that I have found when teaching grid coordinates is confusion between the x and y axis. When I was at school my teacher preached: "through the door (x) and up the stairs (y)", and although I repeat this to my students (it will stick with some, maybe the auditory learners?) I am aware that it didn't do much for me as a boy.

Constructing an armada of battleships on a grid, visualising probabilities and outcomes, estimating, guessing, taking 'shots in the dark'... students must collaborate on the giving and receiving of grid coordinate instructions in order for a game to be a success.