Subject Matter Expert

Original request
Please design the simplest hands-on investigation possible for exploring convection that aligns to OpenSciEd.
Curricula
Name
OpenSciEd Grade 6 Unit 6.2 (Thermal Energy)
Goals
Students directly observe how warmer fluids rise and cooler fluids sink, visually identifying convection currents as a foundational step to explain energy transfer.

Students directly observe how warmer fluids rise and cooler fluids sink, visually identifying convection currents as a foundational step to explain energy transfer.Students directly observe how warmer fluids rise and cooler fluids sink, visually identifying convection currents as a foundational step to explain energy transfer.
Differences
The investigation closely follows OpenSciEd guidance but uses food coloring for clearer visualization and omits some extended data collection to simplify for introductory use.
Correspondence
Unit 6.2 focuses on energy transfer, including conduction, convection, and radiation. This investigation aligns specifically to Lesson Set 2, which emphasizes observing and explaining convection currents in fluids.
Metadata
NGSS Alignment: MS-PS3-4 (Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, type of matter, mass, and change in temperature).
Materials
Materials have changed, please regenerate.
Procedure
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Teachers

Description
Students observe convection currents by adding colored hot and cold water to a container of water and watching how the fluids move and mix.
Audience
Observe that warm water rises and cool water sinks in a liquid.
Discussion topics
Materials have changed, please regenerate.
Trivia facts
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Objectives
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Analytical Facts
Fact 1
Density Difference: Warmer fluids have lower density, making them rise above cooler, denser fluids.
Fact 2
Thermal Energy Transfer: Energy moves from warmer to cooler areas, causing the motion of fluid.

Guide for students

Preview
You'll use colored water to see how warm and cold water move differently and make swirling patterns. This helps us see how heat moves in liquids.
Hints
Hint
Now, take the dropper with blue (cold) water. Gently add some near the bottom of the container on the opposite side. Watch and describe what happens to the blue color.
Procedure step
"Use a separate dropper to gently add a small amount of cold (blue) water at the opposite end of the container, near the bottom.
Hint
Look for patterns: Does the red water move up? Does the blue water move down? Draw or write what you see happening in the water over time.
Procedure step
Observe and record what happens to the colored water over several minutes.
Hint
Pick up the thermometer, put it in the water, and write down what temperature you see.
Procedure step 1
Use the thermometer to measure and record the starting temperature of the water.
Procedure step 2
Use the thermometer to measure and record the starting temperature of the water.
Hint
Take the dropper with red (hot) water. Gently squeeze a little near the top of the container, close to one side. Watch closely and write what you see.
Procedure step
Use the thermometer to measure and record the starting temperature of the water.

Software

Objects
Name
Clear Glass Container
ID
clear_glass_container_J1K7
Properties
container_volume_ml
liquid_inside_type
liquid_inside_temperature_c
Name
Thermometer
ID
thermometer_MK09
Properties
measurement_range_c
current_temperature_c
Name
Cold Water (Blue)
ID
cold_blue_water_QW58
Properties
liquid_colour
liquid_temperature_c
Name
Room Temperature Water
ID
room_temp_water_VZ34
Properties
liquid_colour
liquid_temperature_c
Name
Dropper
ID
dropper_AC31
Properties
liquid_type_loaded
volume_loaded_ml
Name
Towel
ID
towel_YN44
Properties
absorbency
Name
Hot Water (Red)
ID
hot_red_water_TR22
Properties
liquid_colour
liquid_temperature_c
Interactions
liquids_pouring(from_object, to_object)
temperature_measurement(object)
liquids_observation(object)