Description:

Students are given three containers of different insulating capacity, for example, metal, ceramic, and plastic, and are asked to find out which one would keep a hot drink warm for the longest time. They also receive thermometers, a clock, a piece of card to use as a fan, and a supply of hot water. The students are instructed to pour a measure of hot water into each of the containers, and to take the temperature in each one over a ten-minute interval. They are provided with a pre-designed data table in which to record their observations. This task assesses students' abilities to make and record measurements of temperature and probes their understanding of the concept of insulation.

This task is designed to take students approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Overall Task Content Area:

Physical Science

Specific Knowledge Areas:

Physical Properties of Matter

Heat Transfer

Performance Expectations:

• conducting investigations
• using equipment
• gathering, organizing, and representing data
• formulating conclusions from investigational data
• applying scientific principles to develop explanations and solve new problems

National Science Education Standards:

4 B PS 1: Properties of objects and materials: Grades K-4
1.1  Objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, temperature, and the ability to react with other substances. Those properties can be measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers.

4 B PS 3: Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism: Grades K-4
3.2 Heat can be produced in many ways, such as burning, rubbing, or mixing one substance with another. Heat can move from one object to another by conduction.

4 A SI 1: Ability to do scientific inquiry: Grades K-4
1.3 Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. In early years, students develop simple skills, such as how to observe, measure, cut, connect, switch, turn on and off, pour, hold, tie, and hook. Beginning with simple instruments, students can use rulers to measure the length, height, and depth of objects and materials; thermometers to measure temperature; watches to measure time; beam balances and spring scales to measure weight and force; magnifiers to observe objects and organisms; and microscopes to observe the finer details of plants, animals, rocks, and other materials. Children also develop skills in the use of computers and calculators for conducting investigations.

1.4 Use data to construct a reasonable explanation. This aspect of the standard emphasizes the students’ thinking as they use data to formulate explanations. Even at the earliest grade levels, students should learn what constitutes evidence and judge the merits or strength of the data and information that will be used to make explanations. After students propose an explanation, they will appeal to the knowledge and evidence they obtained to support their explanations. Students should check their explanations against scientific knowledge, experiences, and observations of others.

(Use the "hot" link on the PALS home page to check the full text of related National Science Education Standards, if desired.)

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics:

DAP1: Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them:
Grades pre K-5 e. collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments

MEAS1: Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement:
Grades pre K-5 a. recognize the attributes of length, volume, weight, area, and time
Grades pre K-5 b. compare and order objects according to these (length, volume, weight, area, and time) attributes

MEAS2: Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements:
Grades pre K-5 c. use tools to measure

RP3: Develop and evaluate mathematical arguments and proofs:
Grades pre K-5

Materials for "Containers":

At this station students should have:

-Three containers (or cups) marked A, B, C
- Three thermometers
- A clock or watch
- A container with very hot water
- Pieces of card to use as a fan, if desired
- A roll of paper to wipe up spills
- A measuring cup

Advance Preparation

A supply of very hot water must be prepared ahead of time and a procedure established for students to safely access and use the supply.

Station Setup:  Check that all of the equipment listed below is provided.

3 containers	The containers must be approximately the same size and shape. They should each be made from a different material and must give measurable differences in cooling rates. One ceramic, one metal, and one paper or Styrofoam (such as disposable coffee cups) are recommended. A metal can of approximately the same volume as the other containers with the top cut out may be used as one of the containers. Label the containers A, B, and C. On Form PA1, provide a description of the 3 containers for the coder, as well as your own findings as to the differences in the rates of cooling and any variation in volume of the three containers.
3 thermometers	Standard Celsius thermometers, approximately 10oC to 110oC. They should be identical, and they should be pretested together in a container of water to ensure that they agree. If these are unavailable, be sure the thermometer used can be read to a degree (estimates to 0.5 degrees). Administrators must make sure students know whether the thermometer is calibrated in Fahrenheit or Celsius degrees. For safety and improved accuracy, the administrator may wish to support the thermometers by fastening them to a stand or some other support. Since the students' later readings are compared only with their own earlier ones, whether or not the thermometer touches the container does not significantly affect results on the task. Administrators and NRCs will determine the safest and most trouble free set up, given their equipment.
Hot water	A source of hot water is required. Best results are obtained if you use near boiling water. In this case, for safety reasons, pour the waste yourself into the containers for students at this station when they are ready to begin. You may also wish to stabilize the containers by placing all 3 in a box or pan with low sides, in case hot water is spilled. The experiment will not yield results if the starting temperature is close to room temperature.
Clock or watch	Provide students with a watch or call their attention to the wall clock. It is preferable, but not necessary, that the watch measure time in seconds. A stop watch is not desirable but may be used if the students are instructed to use it merely as a watch and not stop it at each measurement.
Measuring cup	6 or 8 oz measuring cup should be provided if the containers provided are not calibrated.
Pieces of card	Pieces of card, about 3 x 5 in (7 x 12 cm) or slightly larger are suitable. Students may or may not choose to use them as a fan.
Towels	Paper or cloth to wipe up spills and to wipe out the beakers when the activity is completed.
Booklets	A student booklet for each student that will perform this task.

Note: One of the things this task measures is student ability to read the thermometer, but the entire task need not be failed because of a lack of this skill. If the thermometer itself has any peculiarities, such as being calibrated in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, you will have pointed this out to all students before the testing sessions begins.

However, if an individual student is making gross errors in handling the thermometer, such as putting it in the liquid upside down, after 3 to 4 minutes you may intervene. Indicate on the student booklet that the student could not obtain measurements without assistance, and cite exactly what kind of assistance was given. This will allow the student to proceed with later questions in the task, and allow the coder to record the lack of skill with the equipment.

Note that assistance is only provided if the student decides to measure temperature and cannot use the equipment, not if she or he simply touches the containers and records "hot, cold,..." Do not provide any instructions about measuring volume. It may or may not occur to some students that volume is a variable that could be measured or controlled. Do not provide any assistance if the student is using the equipment correctly but is not able to read the thermometer.

Safety:

• Be careful.
• Teachers and students should always exercise appropriate safety precautions and utilize appropriate laboratory safety procedures and equipment when working on science performance tasks.

Extensions/modifications:

• Rubric language should be expanded and targeted to the specific NCTM standard(s) to be measured.

Advanced Preparation Set Up:

Teacher: 1) Prepare very hot water at student workstation.	2) Assist student with hot water if necessary.
Student: 1) Pour hot water into containers and perform experiment.	2) Use index card as fan if desired.