New technology makes learning about heat fun again!

       I am a third grade teacher and in order to teach Standard 5, objective 3 concerning friction I have come up with an innovative technique.  The materials needed are:  a computer with the logger program, a temperature wand, and groups of students in 5.  

Our main objective was to compare the amount of friction created when using different surfaces.  The surfaces we chose were:  wood, linoleum, polyester, cotton, and metal.  We wanted the students to physically see the differences that exist with friction when using different surfaces.  

        We preformed all of the experiments and quickly realized that we need a control temperature.  The control temperature that we used was 74 degrees F.  This was the temperature of the room.  We used this number to compare the amounts of heat produced by the friction.  Our first experiment was with the linoleum surface.  The temperature changed from 74.5 to 76.0 degrees Fahrenheit.  Our next experiment was with the polyester surface.  Our temperature started at 74.7-90.4 degrees.  This shows a rise in heat by 16.3 degrees.  The next surface we texted was with cotton.  Cotton started at 74 degrees and we ended with 84 degrees Fahrenheit, displaying a 10 point change.  The next experiment was with metal.  The temperatures ranged from 74-72.8.  The temperature actually went down 1.2 degrees in Fahrenheit.  Our last experiment was with wood.  The temperature started at 74 degrees and it ended on 75.5 degrees.  This is an increase of 1.5 degrees.  

      Our conclusion is that different surfaces create different amounts of friction.  The students will be able to clearly see and measure this through the computer program logger.  The thermometer gives the students to interact with technology and expand their horizons.