Lesson Materials

Per Class

• class Temperature Change table

• markers

• whiteboard and chart paper

• note cards and tape

• markers (optional)

Light and Temperature Investigation materials

• 4 2-L pitchers of cold water chilled to 6℃ (800 mL per Groups A and B and 1200 mL for Dark Groups)

• 1 16-oz clear plastic cup and lid

• 1 16-oz foil-covered cup and lid

• 1 16-oz white-painted cup and lid

• 1 16-oz black-painted cup

• 2 lamps with 100 W light-bulbs

• 1 light meter

• 2 Light Measurement Template

Per Group

• Group A’s: 1 lamp with 100-W light bulb, 1 Light Measurement Template, 2 thermometers, 1 500-mL beaker, 1 16-oz clear plastic cup and lid, 1 16-oz foil-wrapped cup and lid timer (optional)

• Group B’s: 1 lamp with 100-W light bulb, 1 Light Measurement Template, 2 thermometers, 1 500-mL beaker, 1 16-oz white-painted cup and lid, 1 16-oz black-painted cup and lid timer (optional)

• Dark Group: 4 thermometers, 1 500-mL beaker, 1 16-oz clear plastic cup and lid, 1 16-oz foil-wrapped cup and lid, 1 16-oz white-painted cup and lid 1 16-oz black-painted cup and lid access to a dark cabinet or box timer (optional

Per Student

• science notebook

• sticky notes

• markers

Prep

Review 

• Lesson plan

• Slides

Prepare 

• Make copies of handouts and ensure sufficient copies of student references, readings, and procedures are available.

• Ahead of time, make a class Temperature Change table on chart paper for pooling data across groups. This table can be reused from class to class if students post their data on it with note cards and tape.

• Analyze and interpret the class data from day 1 in preparation for the discussion on day 2. See relevant guidance between days 1 and 2 for more information.

Light and Temperature Investigation

• Group Size: 3

• Setup: Chill pitchers of water in the refrigerator overnight to 6℃. You will need approximately 800 mL per Groups A and B, and 1600 mL for the Dark Group. Use the directions in How to Make the Test Cups for the Light and Temperature Investigation to create the cups for the investigation. Make 1 copy of the handout Investigating Light’s Effect on Warming Up Water for each student. Make 1 copy of the Light Measurement Template for each Group A and Group B (but not the Dark Groups). Prepare lab bins for the groups with these investigation materials:

• Group A’s: 1 lamp with 100-W light bulbs, 1 Light Measurement Template, 2 thermometers, 1 500-mL beaker, 1 16-oz clear plastic cup and lid, 1 16-oz foil-wrapped cup and lid, timer (optional)

• Group B’s: 1 lamp with 100-W light bulbs, 1 Light Measurement Template, 2 thermometers, 1 500-mL beaker, 1 16-oz white-painted cup and lid, 1 16-oz black-painted cup, timer (optional)

• Dark Groups: 2 thermometers, 1 500-mL beaker, 1 16-oz clear plastic cup and lid, 1 16-oz foil-wrapped cup and lid, 1 16-oz white-painted cup, 1 16-oz black-painted cup, access to a dark cabinet or box, timer (optional)

Class Light Measurement

• Group Size: Whole class

• Setup: Using the Light Measurement Template, set up 2 lamps and 2 light meters with one set of the 4 test cups and lids (clear plastic, black-painted, white-painted, and foil-covered) to demonstrate light measurements at the front of the classroom.

• Notes for during the lab: Darken the room as much as possible by closing shades and turning off floor lamps. Some light from windows is OK. You can leave the classroom lights on until it is time to collect data. Monitor students to make certain they are recording the light measurements appropriately.

• Storage: Remove batteries from light meters for long-term storage.