EXPLORATION
UPPER ELEMENTARY | SCIENCE

Investigating Heat Transfer:
Convection
Students will observe the process of convection heat transfer.
Time
20 Minutes
Setting
InsideCollection Group
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.
- c. Investigate the transfer of heat energy from the sun to various materials.
Materials
- Cold blue-dyed water
- Hot red-dyed water
- Clear container; consider re-purposing glass jars, plastic cups or bottles
- Funnel
Procedures
- Fill a clear cup with cold blue-dyed water. Use a funnel to introduce hot red-dyed water to the bottom of the clear container.
- Notice that the red water rises by convection then the water changes to purple as the heat energy is transferred from the warmer area to the colder area.
Explorations in this Collection

Designing Solar Ovens

Designing Season-Extenders for the Garden

Investigating Heat Transfer – Conduction and Insulation

Investigating Heat Transfer – Convection

Investigating Heat Transfer – Ultraviolet Radiation

Measuring the Urban Heat Island Effect
