Students collect data about three chemical reactions (baking soda and vinegar; calcium chloride, baking soda and water; ammonium chloride and water) and determine if each reaction is endothermic or exothermic. Then, students determine which reaction would be the best to create a hot pack. Finally, students design, build, test and modify an original pie-warming device!

Students explore convection and radiation through quick labs. Then, they analyze data to determine which colors absorb the most heat energy and which materials make the best insulators. After learning that increasing global temperatures are endangering the tuatara population in New Zealand, students design, construct and test a tuatara nest that reduces heat energy transfer and keeps the eggs cool!