Measuring the Urban Heat Island Effect

Part of the "Solar Cooking" Collection

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Goal

Students will investigate how heat is produced and the effects of heating and cooling, and will understand a change in temperature indicates a change in heat.

Estimated Time

45 Minutes

Setting Required

Outside

Standards

  • S3P1. Students will investigate how heat is produced and the effects of heating and cooling, and will understand a change in temperature indicates a change in heat.
    • b. Investigate how insulation affects heating and cooling.
    • c. Investigate the transfer of heat energy from the sun to various materials.
    • d. Use thermometers to measure the changes in temperatures of water samples over time.

Materials

  • Instant-read thermometers (1 per group)
  • Meter sticks (1 per group)
  • Journals or 8.5×11 copy paper (1 per student)

Procedures

  1. Develop with  students theories about the warmest and coolest places in the schoolyard.
  2. Distribute a meter stick and an instant-read thermometer to each small group and model for students how to measure the temperature 0.5 meters above the surface in about six different locations (asphalt, cement, rock, grass, garden). Request that students record their results in their journals.
  3. Analyze results as a class and connect findings to the “urban heat island effect” that results from many roads, parking lots, rooftops that cause a temperature increase.