This experiment will engage students in an energy hunt, which introduces them to the topics of energy conservation and energy efficiency. Students will be able to identify what objects in the room use energy and which ones use more energy than others.
Items needed:
1. Wattmeter
2. Notebook (to keep track of how much energy each appliance uses)
Procedure:
1. Plug in the wattmeter
2. Plug the appliance into the wattmeter
3. Turn on appliance
4. Push the "watt" button
5. Record the number of watts
6. Turn off appliance
7. Unplug the wattmeter
It's helpful to place the wattmeter in such a way that it is easy for all of the students to see. Have an extension cord or power strip available to use if necessary.
After students have finished recording all of the data, discuss with them how using both energy efficient appliances and reducing energy by turning off appliances will help conserve energy.
One easy experiment that elementary aged kids can do shows how incandescent lights give off both heat and light energy, while compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs give off less heat energy.
Items needed:
1. Goose-neck style lamp
2. Extension cord
3. Various wattage of incandescent light bulbs
4. Various wattage of compact fluorescent light bulbs
5. Thermometer
6. Ruler or yard stick (to measure distance between the thermometer and the light bulb)
7. White towel
8. Watch or stop watch
9. Pencil and paper
Procedure:
1. Place the white towel on a flat surface.
2. Set the lamp on one edge of the towel.
3. Place the thermometer on the towel.
4. Screw in the smallest wattage light bulb.
5. Measure the distance between the thermometer and the light bulb. Record it on your paper.
6. Take note of the current temperature.
7. Turn the light on.
8. Record the starting time.
9. After five minutes record the ending temperature.
10. Repeat with each subsequent light bulb, allowing at least 30 minutes for the lamp and towel area to cool before doing more light bulbs.
After completing this experiment, students will be able to explain how energy can be conserved by using CFL bulbs rather than incandescent ones.
In this experiment, students use various items:
1. Down jacket
2. Gloves/mittens
3. Cotton sock
4. Wool sock
5. Other types of cloth or clothing
6. Plastic foam
7. Dirt
8. Large piece of paper
9. Aluminum foil
10. Leaves
11. Fiberglass insulation material (handle with gloves)
12. Baby food jars with lids -- one for each of the different materials
13. Large board or tray for all of the jars
14. Gallon jug of water or hot water from a sink (use caution)
15. Thermometer
16. Notebook and pencil
Procedure:
1. Record the temperature of the water in each jar before wrapping them in the different items.
2. Take them outside where the temperature is cooler.
3. Record the water temperature again after a period of time and compare to see which items are best at keeping the water warm.
The outcome of this experiment shows students how effective (or not) different materials can be used to keep our homes warm.
This experiment involves three different steps. After creating 2 "houses" from shoe or cardboard boxes, students place a goose neck-style lamp with a 100-watt incandescent light bulb to simulate the sun beating down on their houses.
Items needed:
1. Different kinds of plants in pots --- small bonsai trees would be fine, otherwise, choose plants that have a lot of leaves.
2. Two thermometers. A digital thermometer that measures inside temperature that has an external sensor for outside temperature would be perfect, otherwise, two regular ones will do fine.
3. Two cans of paint. One should be white and the other should be either black or dark colored.
Procedure:
1. Before painting, place both boxes an equal distance from the lamp.
2. Put thermometers inside both of the boxes.
3. Place a plant between the lamp and the boxes so that most of the box will be covered by the shadow that's cast on it.
4. Turn on the lamp.
5. Measure the temperature inside each box. Record it in your notebook.
6. Add to or subtract the number of plants that are shading the boxes. Take note of the temperature changes over a period of time.
7. Paint the boxes.
8. Repeat the steps exactly as you did previously, including adding to and removing plants from the boxes. Take note of the temperature changes.
9. Compare the differences between the temperature of the boxes before and after adding paint to them.
This project reveals how the interior temperature of our homes can be affected by both outdoor shading and choice of paint, which directly affects the energy that our homes use.