Science Challenge

In our science challenge activity, we chose to have the students test and record the different temperatures of water in its different states. This activity covers the content area for fourth grade science in the first objective, standard 1, part d. This core standard states that students will "investigate and record temperature data to show the effects of heat energy on changing the states of water." Th teacher will begin by talking about the different properties of water. She will also introduce how to use the thermometer and show how large of a temperature range different materials can have. We will have the students use a thermometer as their technology device as they measure and record the temperature for freezing water, room temperature water, and freezing water. Students can also experiment with checking the temperature of the water as it is melting and/or as the boiling water starts to cool. This will simply help the students gain more opportunities to practice with the new technology and understand better the extreme temperature range of water in its different states. The teacher will provide the students with all the necessary materials, including the different water states (frozen, room temperature, and boiling), the thermometer, and a graphing chart to record the information they gather.
I think this activity is a great way for students to understand the different properties and states of water. This is a beneficial way for students to see first hand what water looks like as it is boiling, freezing, melting etc, and measure the temperature as it is actually happening. Without doing this activity, the only way to really teach the properties of water would be to relate it to snow for freezing water, or a pot of boiling water in the kitchen which is not really applicable for all students. This activity helps teach the goal of the objective better because students are able to actually see and test with the thermometer how water can be represented in multiple different forms/states.