Specialty Spotlight: Science

Second graders have been exploring heat.

– How can the sun’s heat be changed into physical movement? Hint: Ask a termite for a tour of its nest and mound…

– What is heat conductivity and which metals score higher on this scale?

To answer these questions, students heated up one end of equally sized rods of different metals at the same time, watching to see the order in which the other ends melted the tiny lump of wax placed on them. To investigate the melting/freezing point, students added salt to an ice cube (shown here), enabling water to melt, then re-freeze, sticking a string in place.

Since the second graders seem taken by this topic, I’m designing further experiences around heat and heat transfer for upcoming science lessons.

Chip Edwards, Science Teacher