Thermal Energy Model

By Platform Administrator · Submitted Sep 30, 2026

Content Area: Science and Technology/Engineering
Grade: 8

Students adopt the role of a performance artist who has been commissioned by a science curriculum developer. Their job is to create a performance for students to learn about how thermal energy affects particles of matter as it changes state. Students cannot see the particles of matter, and therefore need an analogous model to help them understand this concept. The performance artists are asked to create a product that has both a visual and sound component to meet many learning styles.

MA Standards

8.PS.1.4

Develop a model that describes and predicts changes in particle motion, relative spatial arrangement, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed. Clarification Statements: Emphasis is on qualitative molecular-level models of solids, liquids, and gases to show that adding or removing thermal energy increases or decreases kinetic energy of the particles until a change of state occurs. Examples of models could include drawings and diagrams. Examples of pure substances could include water, carbon dioxide, and helium.

SEP.2

Developing and using models

Resources

Task Template (PDF) PDF · 164 KB
Task Template (Word) DOCX · 1.59 MB
Student Directions & Organizer DOCX · 10 KB
Rubric DOCX · 1.54 MB
Teacher Guidance Notes DOCX · 9.95 KB

Comments

You must create an account and log in to leave a comment.