Year 5 have had a busy start to the Spring term in which they’ve been learning about ecological issues affecting the planet. In Science, they’ve been learning about Materials and their Properties. This week, they worked as real Scientists to carry out a fair test on Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Insulation. They had to design a mug which would keep the contents inside it, warm. They wrapped their mugs with various materials to see which material didn’t allow the heat through it easily (therefore is a thermal insulator) in contrast to the materials that allowed heat to pass through it quite easily (therefore is a thermal conductor). They took measurements, recorded results then discussed and evaluated their findings, just like real Scientists. They found out that leather was not allowing heat to get through it easily, therefore is a good insulator. The foil, which is made from thin metal, did allow heat to go through it therefore is a good thermal conductor.
