Intermediate Science eResource Sets: Thermal Energy

n this activity, students fill an ultra-thin plastic bag with air, allow the air to heat up under the sun's radiation and watch the bag float. Students observe the transformation of solar energy to thermal energy and are introduced to the concept that hot air rises.

In this activity, students use various materials to focus the sun's rays in a solar oven and make solar s'mores!

In North America, we use electricity or gas to cook our food, however, over half the world's population uses wood or animal dung to cook. In fact, every year, almost 2 billion tones of wood is burned in cooking fires, releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.