Which materials keep us warm? - Presentation

In an engaging presentation designed to explore the insulating properties of different materials, students are invited to consider the question, "Which materials keep us warm?" This component of the lesson encourages children to set up their own investigations, allowing them more freedom to learn, even if they make mistakes along the way. The investigative task is centred around understanding how certain materials can help retain warmth. Teachers are advised to initiate discussions about the experience of feeling cold and the types of coats children wear, even incorporating actual coats from the students into the lesson to examine the materials they are made from.

The hands-on experiment involves using four water bottles filled with warm water, each wrapped in a different material, and left for at least an hour to see which one retains heat the best. This practical activity is designed to be conducted in small groups, fostering teamwork and discussion about what constitutes a fair test. Students will need identical bottles, various types of material, and a thermometer to measure the temperature. After the experiment, the students will reflect on their findings, considering which material kept the water warm for the longest time and discussing the broader implications of their discoveries for understanding how different materials can keep us warm.