Thermal Energy Evidence Kits · Grade 6 · Grades 6–8 science ideas
Cool-Water Design Investigation
Is this the right resource?
- Audience / fit
- Intended Grade 6 science; selected Grades 6–8 standards ideas
- Teaching or planning target
- Plan a fair cool-water comparison, record baseline and prototype trials, then redesign and retest. Includes a complete supplied-data alternative.
- Essential prerequisites
- Read °C and time, subtract decimal readings, distinguish temperature from energy, and follow comparison conditions. Measuring 150 mL and safe probe placement are also required for practical work.
- Preparation
- Review the operational card and verify equipment/conditions before practical work; preparation time depends on local equipment. Supplied data needs only selected copies.
- Use time
- Practical: about 74 minutes per phase, with supervised continuation if needed (planning estimate). Supplied data: split comparison/proposal and retest/reassessment into separate stages; timing varies.
- Materials
- Supplied data: paper, pencil and Part 1, then Part 2. Practical: matching stable cups/covers, suitable non-glass probes, air thermometer, 150 mL cool water per cup, marked measure, timer, tray, probe supports, pre-cut felt and tape. Check the operational card before procurement or water use.
- What to print
- Use the stage-specific student choices below and the matching teacher guide. Give independent, new-evidence and later-assessment pages only at their intended stage.
Choose practical work or supplied data
Practical: assemble and compare
Adult supervision, checked equipment and qualifying conditions are required. Read the complete operational teacher guide before preparing materials.
Practical first comparison: directions and blank trials · PDF (11 pages)
Supplied data: compare, propose, then reassess
No equipment needed. The records are fictional constructed examples, not measurements from a class.
First: print Part 1, compare and record the proposal · PDF (7 pages)
Then: Part 2, reassess the specified retest record · PDF (3 pages)
Collect or retain each proposal before distributing Part 2. Keep the redesign results unseen until learners commit a proposed change. These values describe the specified fictional design, not the learner’s unbuilt proposal.
Teacher setup, procurement, complete keys and alternatives · PDF (17 pages)
For practical work, use the first-comparison directions and blank records; constructed first-trial and retest results are excluded. Read the current complete operational teacher guide before preparing equipment. Keep three fresh paired trials in each phase. Use the separate supplied-data Part 1 and Part 2 if equipment or conditions are unsuitable, and label that route as analysis of constructed records.
Teacher setup, procurement, complete keys and alternatives · PDF (17 pages)
Learning target: Compare a baseline and prototype with cool water, then redesign and retest against an identified reference.
Use written, oral or labeled representations when they show the intended reasoning. This resource addresses selected standards ideas; supplied-data analysis does not establish actual construction or testing.
Prerequisites: Read °C/time and calculate change; measure 150 mL; follow paired-condition and probe-position instructions. The brief, assembly instructions and supplied-data teaching model provide the method bridge.
Materials: Per group: three identical stable 250–300 mL plastic cups with matching loose covers and existing probe slots; two suitable non-glass immersion probes; a classroom air instrument; 150 mL cool water per cup per fresh trial; a marked measure, timer, spill tray, probe supports, clean pre-cut 26 × 6 cm felt sheets and pre-cut tape. See the operational card for quantities, conditions and equipment checks. Paper and pencil support the supplied-data fallback.
Additional files · teacher preparation
Use the separate stage choices above for student handouts. Complete selections may include later tasks or answers.
For the practical route, follow the equipment and setup guide, use adult supervision and follow your school’s procedures. Water is not for drinking; keep liquids away from electrical equipment. A complete supplied-data alternative is included.
Choose a stage and format
Give only the stage being used. Keep later tasks and all teacher keys with the teacher until needed.
- Practical first comparison: directions and blank trials · PDF (11 pages) · Practical first comparison: directions and blank trials · editable Word · Practical first comparison: directions and blank trials · browser copy
- Practical redesign: commit the plan · PDF (6 pages) · Practical redesign: commit the plan · editable Word · Practical redesign: commit the plan · browser copy
- Practical retest: instrument checks and trial 1 · PDF (2 pages) · Practical retest: instrument checks and trial 1 · editable Word · Practical retest: instrument checks and trial 1 · browser copy
- Practical retest: directions, instrument checks and trials 2–3 · PDF (9 pages) · Practical retest: directions, instrument checks and trials 2–3 · editable Word · Practical retest: directions, instrument checks and trials 2–3 · browser copy
- Practical results: reassess and explain · PDF (2 pages) · Practical results: reassess and explain · editable Word · Practical results: reassess and explain · browser copy
- Later reasoning assessment · PDF (1 page) · Later reasoning assessment · editable Word · Later reasoning assessment · browser copy
Formats and all files
Complete reference files may include teaching, independent tasks, later evidence or teacher answers. Keep them with the teacher; use the separate stage selections above for handouts.
For supplied data, hand out Part 1 before Part 2. Full packets, combined reflection selections and mixed archives include later results: keep them with the teacher and give only the phase in use. Teacher keys and later checks stay separate.
Student
Teacher
Print Selections
- Compare the Results and Reflect (DOCX)
- Compare the Results and Reflect (HTML)
- Compare the Results and Reflect (PDF)
- Prepare and Run the First Comparison (DOCX)
- Prepare and Run the First Comparison (HTML)
- Prepare and Run the First Comparison (PDF)
- Redesign and Retest (DOCX)
- Redesign and Retest (HTML)
- Redesign and Retest (PDF)
- Use a Later Reasoning Check (DOCX)
- Use a Later Reasoning Check (HTML)
- Use a Later Reasoning Check (PDF)
Record Sheets
Data files and blank trial records
Data
- Blank comparison check record (CSV)
- Blank record: comparison trial 1 (CSV)
- Blank record: comparison trial 2 (CSV)
- Blank record: comparison trial 3 (CSV)
- Blank record: retest trial 1 (CSV)
- Blank record: retest trial 2 (CSV)
- Blank record: retest trial 3 (CSV)
- Example data: comparison trial 1 (CSV)
- Example data: comparison trial 2 (CSV)
- Example data: comparison trial 3 (CSV)
- Example data: retest trial 1 (CSV)
- Example data: retest trial 2 (CSV)
- Example data: retest trial 3 (CSV)
- Later reasoning check data (CSV)
- Teaching data (JSON)
Previous classroom editions
Cool-Water Design Investigation — student: Read in browser (previous edition) · Editable Word (previous edition) · PDF (previous edition)
Cool-Water Design Investigation — teacher: Read in browser (previous edition) · Editable Word (previous edition) · PDF (previous edition)
Cool-Water Design Investigation — student first comparison: Read in browser (previous edition) · Editable Word (previous edition) · PDF (previous edition)
Cool-Water Supplied Data — Part 1: Compare and Propose: Printable PDF · Editable Word · Browser copy
Cool-Water Supplied Data — Part 2: Reassess the Record: Printable PDF · Editable Word · Browser copy
Previous teacher-reference editions
Cool-Water Design Investigation — teacher guide: Browser · Editable Word · PDF
Previous complete-package editions
About the materials
The teacher guide includes complete keys, explanations, alternatives and guidance for choosing a next task.
Complete collections · teacher reference only
These archives combine stages and may include later tasks and answers. Download them for teacher preparation; give students only the selected stage.
Useful next resources
Start Here · Session routes · Evidence portfolio.
Choose the student pages you need and keep teacher guides and answer keys with the teacher.
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Do not include student names or identifiable work in an issue report. Page revision: 15 October 2026; classroom files retain their own editions.