Free 10th Grade Phase Change Materials Lesson Plan (Science)

Topic: Phase Change Materials

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand how phase change materials can help decrease energy costs and how they work.

Introduction & Background

• Phase change materials are substances that can change between solid and liquid states based on temperature.
• Phase change materials are used in various products, such as insulation and beverage containers, to help decrease energy costs.

Materials

• Ice cubes
• Water
• Jello
• Orange juice
• Sugar
• Ice cream
• Salt
• Peanuts
• Celery
• Carrots
• Grapes
• Bananas
• Ice cream sandwiches
• Sandwich bags
• Plastic containers
• Ice cream scoops
• Thermometers
• Water thermos
• Small cups
• Aluminum foil
• Small cups
• Small plates

Warm-Up

• Students will be given a small cup of ice cubes and a small plate. They will be tasked with transferring the ice cubes from the cup to the plate without touching the ice cubes. The student with the fastest time wins.
• Next, students will be given a small cup of water and a small plate. They will be tasked with transferring the water from the cup to the plate without touching the water. The student with the fastest time wins.
• Finally, students will be given a small cup of jello and a small plate. They will be tasked with transferring the jello from the cup to the plate without touching the jello. The student with the fastest time wins.
• Students will be asked to share their strategies for transferring the materials without touching them.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the topic of phase change materials and their energy saving properties.
• Explain how phase change materials work by changing from a solid to a liquid or a liquid to a solid when exposed to heat or cold, respectively.
• Discuss the various types of phase change materials and their specific uses.
• Provide examples of how phase change materials are used to save energy in various industries, such as manufacturing, transportation, and building insulation.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs to research one specific type of phase change material and its uses in a specific industry.
• Have each pair present their findings to the class.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose a specific industry that uses phase change materials and create a marketing campaign to promote the use of phase change materials in their chosen industry.
• Students should include information about the specific type of phase change material they are promoting, its uses, and any benefits it offers to the industry.
• Have students present their marketing campaigns to the class.

Closure

• Review the main points of the lesson.
• Ask students to share what they learned about phase change materials and how they can be used to help reduce energy costs in different industries.

Assessment

• Observe students during the group and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the concept of phase change materials and their ability to research and present information on a specific industry.