all picks
An experiment that shows how the thermal conductivity of a material affects how cold we perceive it to be. Requires multiple LCD thermometers and large samples if possible
A simple fun experiment to try at home or in the lab. Can you really tell the temperature of something?
A experiment to show how radiated energy can be focused.
A worksheet on how to make a thermometer.
Experiment to show how changes in temperature cause objects to expand or contract.
Instructions for a simple experiment in which pupils investigate the insulating properties of styrofoam cups, recording data and drawing conclusions from it.
Detailed practical instructions and other notes that explain how to show that solids expand when heated.
A dipping bird is an example of a heat engine.
A pack of lesson plans and linked video clips from the lectures, which can be used to teach a variety of science concepts.
Game in which kids estimate temperatures of e.g. a freezer, melting ice. An entertaining introductory activity to the use of melting and boiling points to separate mixtures
Nice friendly revision aid from the BBC's Key Stage 2 site setting out the basic facts about heat conductors and insulators and what they are used for.
Transfer of thermal energy from BBC Bitesize. A short but clear and simple explanation of conduction, convection and radiation
An animated page on conduction, convection and radiation.
A page of information about temperature and heat.
An animated interactive activity about conduction, convection and radiation.
Matching objects to their temperature.
This one of the best of the on-line games. A beautiful and simple set of scientific Flash challenges that engage and stimulate. Pupils can play on this for hours and then create their own puzzles to send to their friends.
A Blockbusters quiz about heat and conduction.
A fun activity that shows how to work out how thick the walls of a chocolate teapot would need to be to make tea in it
Short video and quizzes at different levels of difficulty on temperature and thermometers.
Clear detailed account of how different types of (mostly household) thermometers work, from the excellent Howstuffworks site.
Reference information about heat and temperature for teachers or extension material for the brightest pupils.
Clear detailed account of how a Thermos flask works - a useful way of revising conduction, convection and radiation.
A very clear explanation of what happens at absolute zero, and how the Kelvin scale works. Nevertheless, this is likely to be beyond many pupils at this stage.
A page about the early history of thermometers and temperature scales.
A biography of Anders Celsius 1701-1744.
A biography of William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) 1824 - 1907. Server is not always stable.
A whimsical site that promotes an admiration for Lord Kelvin and his ideas.
A comprehensive look at heat. Direct students to scroll down to the section on NO SUCH THING AS
An interactive animated page explaining temperature and absolute zero.
A page on temperature scales and how a thermometer works.
Facts and fun about thermometers, including how to make a thermometer.
Facts and fun about refrigerators, including an experiment about food to do.
A page of background information about heat, temperature and thermometers.
A page of information about energy and heat flow. Very text heavy for primary but sections may be of use in class.
This page covers heat energy, expansion and energy transfer.
A School Physics site with information about conduction, convection, radiation and much more.
An extreme temperature line. Pupils will have experience of a tiny part of this line, which ranges from absolute zero to the core of a Star. Note that the scale is logarithmic and in Kelvin.
A lesson plan with resources to encourage pupils to estimate temperature.