One activity to show students how the transfer of energy can be visible to the naked eye is the Dancing Penny. All students need is a glass bottle, such as a soda bottle, a little oil and a penny. Have students place a small amount of oil on one side of the penny and place the penny on the top opening of the soda bottle. The oil will act as a sealant, keeping air inside the bottle. Instruct students to hold their bottles and watch the penny. The warmth from their hands will transfer to the air in the bottle. A rise in temperature will cause a rise in pressure, causing the penny to move, or dance, on top of the bottle.
Adult supervision is required for the wax dots activity. Take a metal knitting needle and place several small wax balls on the needle, making sure they stick. Hold one end of the needle in a pair of tongs. Using the tongs, hold the needle close to a flame. Have students observe what happens to the wax as the needle becomes hot from the flame. The wax will begin to melt and students will see how thermal energy can transfer from the flame to the needle and then through the wax.
There are variations of this activity based on age of students and ability. This variation is ideal for students with visual impairments. Have students feel a spoon at room temperature. Instruct students to notice and remember how the spoon feels. Place a beaker of water on a hotplate and heat to medium. An adult should insert the spoon into the beaker of water. Once the water has warmed for two minutes, turn the hotplate off and remove the beaker of water. Have an adult test the temperature of the spoon, as not to burn any students, and then lay the spoon on the table where students can again touch the spoon and feel the difference in temperature.
An adult should place a saucepan of water on a burner. Place a weighted glass bottle in the pan. Slide a balloon over the top of the bottle. Heat water to medium or medium high. Have students observe the balloon as the water heats up. The warmer the water becomes the more pressure will gather in the bottle, needing a release. The air will rise into the balloon causing it to expand.