Controlling Heat Transfer: Engineering Design

Warm up to engineering and thermal energy transfer in this creative worksheet! For their first design challenge, students will be asked to create a cup that keeps a drink hot as long as possible. In the second challenge, they’ll build a solar oven to melt a marshmallow with only sunlight. Both challenges guide students with questions about their goals and methods. Finally, learners will justify their designs in their own words. 

This worksheet was designed for middle school students already familiar with thermal energy transfer. Students will need to apply their knowledge to real-life situations, giving them the opportunity to think more deeply about the material. They’ll also practice engineering and design skills, seeing how their designs change with different goals in mind. 

For more resources on heat transfer, check out Thermal Energy Transfer: Soccer Jersey Decisions and Heat Transfers: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation.