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Investigate, observe, and explain that things that give off light often also give off heat.
Standard #: SC.3.P.11.1
Standard Information
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 3
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Idea: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning
Big Idea: Energy Transfer and Transformations - A. Waves involve a transfer of energy without a transfer of matter.

B. Water and sound waves transfer energy through a material.

C. Light waves can travel through a vacuum and through matter.

Clarification for grades 5-8: The target understanding for Big Idea 11: Energy Transfer and Transformations, is the Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy is conserved as it transfers from one object to another and from one form to another.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
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Lesson Plans
  • Patriotic Pyrotechnics # Students will learn about the history of using fireworks in Independence Day celebrations, recognizing that exploding fireworks are a source of both light and heat. They will explore primary and secondary sources to explain how our current firework celebrations reflect John Adams’ vision of "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other," as well as the inherent risks of fireworks in this integrated lesson plan.
  • DOLO - Dinosaurs Only Live Once? # During this activity, students will create an incubator to save the last dinosaur eggs. Students will use their knowledge of energy to develop a strategy and choose which materials would be best for their dinosaur egg incubator.
  • Lizard Lights # Students will use a real-world problem solving situation to determine the best types of light bulbs to maintain an appropriate environment for a captive lizard. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
  • When Things Start Heating Up # This lesson is intended to give students a general idea of how heat is produced from human-based activities and mechanical and electrical machines. The lesson provides activities for student understanding as to how and why heat is produced from things that give off light, from machines, or when one thing is rubbed against another.
Original Student Tutorial
Unit/Lesson Sequence
  • Don't Marry the Mole! (Sun as an Energy Source) # Students conduct a series of activities to better understand solar energy and the broader concept of the sun as an energy source. Some of the activities include: observing how heat energy blows up a balloon, launching a solar air balloon, and making a solar oven.
STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity
  • Lizard Lights # Students will use a real-world problem solving situation to determine the best types of light bulbs to maintain an appropriate environment for a captive lizard. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.
Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8
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