The first graders have really enjoyed their time learning about energy in the science lab over the last two weeks! The students are learning what energy is, the different forms of energy, and how it moves in waves. Additionally, they have learned specifically about sound and light waves, explored the waves the sun produces and how that energy is transferred to us here on Earth. They have also learned about the potential energy and kinetic energy found in different objects.
This week the students investigated heat energy! They looked at what affects energy’s absorption by radiation, the ways energy can be conducted, and how it creates currents through convection.
The pictures above are of the students investigating the movement of heat through fluids by convection, like in a lava lamp. Students layered cold water (blue) on top of hot water (red) and watched them switch places. Then they put hot water (red) on top of cold (blue) and saw they did not switch, proving that in fluids heat rises and cold sinks.
Next week the first graders will investigate using energy to do work!
FRIDAY BLOG 