Heat Transfer Lab and Weather Model: Let’s Get Breezy!

For the teacher's introductory presentation and demonstration:

• computer and projector to show a short animation
• desk lamp, work light or adjustable spot light
• radiometer

Each group needs:

• 2 wireless temperature probes, such as the Master Forge digital remote meat thermometer (item# 245256, model# 5491-CU)
• 8 AAA alkaline batteries
• red and blue colored pencils or crayons, one of each color for each student, to draw convection currents for the worksheet
• paper, pen and tape, to label probes
• Measuring Sand and Water Temperature Lab Template (PDF), one per person
• Drawing Sea Breeze and Land Breeze Worksheet (PDF), one per person
• graph paper, one sheet per student
• Let's Get Breezy Post-Activity Assessment (PDF), one per person

To share with the entire class:

• tap water
• play sand, 50-lb bag, available at local hardware stores
• 2 flat containers or tubs (see Figure 1), one for sand and the other for water, for the lab investigation or 9 x 13" aluminum pans
• 2 250-watt lamps, available at local hardware stores
• 2 250-watt light bulb, available at local hardware stores