<p> All the Colors of the…Thermometer</p><p>5-Part Plan Title: All the Colors of the …Thermometer Engineering Grand Challenge(s) Make Solar Energy Economical Covered: Fellow Contributor: Rebekah Johnston Grade Level(s): 1-4</p><p>5-Part Make-It-Happen Plan</p><p>1. Learn It: Students will investigate how different colors absorb various amounts of heat when placed in similar lighting conditions. These surprising differences are due to the ability of an object to absorb or reflect varying light wavelengths. In fact, the color a certain object appears to be when illuminated with white light is in actuality the color that it is reflected to our eyes while absorbing all other light wavelengths. Students will be asked to contemplate why someone is warmer when wearing certain colors in the sun? Likewise, what color are solar panels and why?</p><p>2. Do It: Students will discover if the color of an object affects how hot it will get when exposed to light. Students working in pairs will be asked to paint bottles of varying colors. Before beginning the experiments, students will write down their predictions for which colored bottle will retain the most heat. A thermometer will be places in each bottle, then each sealed bottle will be placed in front of a lamp for 5 minutes. The initial and final temperature will be recorded for each color. Students will analyze this data by creating a bar graph of temperature versus color.</p><p>3. Share It: Upon realizing the correlation between color, energy absorbed and heat captured, students will be asked to extrapolate these concepts to the outside world. In pairs, students will discuss why certain things are colored darker or lighter, why it may keep you cooler to wear different colors, etc.</p><p>4. Create It: Students will paint identical bottles various different colors: white, black, blue, red, orange, green, yellow, purple, silver, and gold. They will insert a thermometer into each bottle and seal the bottle. The initial temperature of the bottle will be recorded then a lamp will be turned on each 15 inches from the bottle (be sure the lamps are identical and are directed at each bottle in the same manner). The light will be allowed to shine on the bottle for 5 minutes then the final temperature will be recorded. Students will compare and contrast the temperature with color of the bottle by creating a bar graph.</p><p>5. Teach It: A bar graph will be created to better visualize the relationship between temperature (y-axis) and color (x-axis). Students will discuss whether the experimental results matched their predictions and why. With this new knowledge, </p><p>Filename: All the Colors of the… Thermometer 5-Part Plan Form.docx 1 students can be further asked if these results will influence what colors they choose in their everyday lives.</p><p>Filename: All the Colors of the… Thermometer 5-Part Plan Form.docx 2</p>