Energy transfer investigation methods - HSW

A selection of activities to investigate energy transfer including a fun activity making ice cream. All can be done in a classroom with only basic equipment so can be done by all ages. The investigations can we done as a quick activity as part of a longer lesson or they can be extended by asking students to use them as inspiration to design their own investigations which will support ISA preparation for the new GCSEs.

Data collected can also be used for data interpretation activities, again to support the mathematical elements of the new GCSE curriculum.

Activity titles:

• Insulation
• Hot or Cold
• Drinks Cooler
• Make ice cream in a plastic bag

Ideas for use:

• Primary school - to introduce students to scientific experiments and get them thinking about how energy is transferred
• Secondary school - Fun KS3 experiments to engage students at the start of a topic or during HSW for GCSE activities.
• Whole school - Can be used as part of an enrichment week, students can design experiments and expand on the ones provided
• Home school - Can be conducted in the kitchen (with supervision)