Thermal Energy Teaching Resources
Teaching about thermal energy just got easier! Download printable worksheets, hands-on activities and Google Slide templates — created by teachers for Aussie science teachers and yourlesson plans.
This collection of Australian Science curriculum-aligned resources includes editable options and resources that our teacher team has already differentiated for you to make teaching about this type of energy much easier.
Explore printable and digital versions of our most popular electrical energy activities, including key electricity vocabulary, kid-friendly experiments and projects. Each resource has undergone rigorous review by a Teach Starter teacher team member to ensure it's ready for use in your classroom.
Whether it's your first year covering thermal energy in the classroom or you're just looking for some new ideas, we have you covered! Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a thermal energy definition and some examples you can use with your students.
What Is Thermal Energy? A Kid-Friendly Definition
So what exactly is thermal energy, and how do you explain it to kids? Here's a definition you can add to your lesson plans!
Thermal energy is the internal energy of a substance. This energy comes from the way the atoms and molecules in the substance or object move and interact with one another.
When molecules move faster, they have more thermal energy. When they move slower, they have less.
Thermal Energy and Temperature
Thermal energy is directly related to the temperature of an object or substance.
- When the temperature increases, so does its thermal energy!
- When the temperature decreases, the thermal energy decreases too.
What Are Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy? Kid-Friendly Definitions
Thermal energy is made up of a mix of the total kinetic energy of the molecules in a particular substance plus their potential energy.
With that in mind, we've got a simple kinetic energy definition and a definition of potential energy that you can use as well.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. In the case of thermal energy, it's the motion of the molecules that provides the kinetc energy component of thermal energy.
- The formula for kinetic energy is KE = 1/2 * mass * velocity^2.
Potential Energy
Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or condition. When potential energy is released, it can be transformed into thermal energy.
Thermal Energy vs. Heat Energy — What's the Difference?
We can't talk about thermal energy in science class without talking about heat.
Heat is something that makes things warm or hot, and heat can cause changes in thermal energy.
So are thermal energy and heat energy the same thing? Not quite!
- Heat energy specifically refers to the transfer of energy from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature.
- Thermal energy, on the other hand, represents the overall energy content of a system.
How Is Thermal Energy Transferred?
If you've ever touched a dish that is still warm from the oven with your bare hand, you've experienced how thermal energy can transfer from one object to another.
There are three main ways that this can occur:
Conduction Heat Transfer
Conduction heat transfer is a transfer of heat from an area of higher temperature to an area of lower temperature — essentially from a warmer end to a cooler end.
When you touch a hot pan out of the oven, heat is conducted from the dish to your hand. If you place a piece of ice in your hand, it will start to melt as heat from the body transfers to the ice.
Convection Heat Transfer
Convection is another method of heat transfer, but this type occurs through the movement of liquids or gases. Convection happens when warmer, less dense substances rise, and cooler, denser substances sink.
A good example of convection that can be demonstrated right in the classroom with the help of a Bunsen burner is boiling water.
When a pot of water boils, the hotter water rises. Meanwhile, the cooler water sinks. This creates a convection current.
Radiation Heat Transfer
The final method of heat transfer is called radiation. This term refers to the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves.
For example, if you place your hand near a burning candle, you may feel the heat through radiation. We also feel the heat of the sun through radiation.
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Heat Energy Word Search
Help students remember heat energy vocabulary with this word search.
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Heat Sources Poster Set
Display these heat sources posters during your heat energy science unit.
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Heat Transference Worksheet
A worksheet to help students identify examples of heat transference.
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Forms of Energy Poster Pack
Display information about mechanical, electrical, light, thermal and sound energy with this poster pack.
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Heat Sources Cut-and-Paste Worksheet
Explore different types of heat sources with your students using this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Heat Conductors Science Experiment (Feel the Heat)
Investigate heat conductors with your students using this engaging science experiment.
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Heat Sources Sorting Activity
Explore various sources of heat with this printable sorting activity for your students.
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The Heat is On Worksheet
A worksheet to consolidate your students' understanding of heat energy.
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Heat Insulators Science Experiment (Keeping Out the Heat)
Investigate heat insulators with your students using this engaging science experiment.
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Heat Conductors and Insulators Sorting Worksheet
Explore materials and everyday items as heat conductors or heat insulators during your heat energy unit plan with this cut-and paste worksheet.
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Forms of Energy – Year 4 Science Experiments for Kids
Investigate mechanical, electrical, light, thermal and sound energy with this set of science activities for kids.
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What is Heat? Poster
Explore the concept of heat energy with this classroom poster.
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Year 3 Heat Energy Vocabulary Cards
Explore heat energy vocabulary with this set of thermal energy vocabulary cards.
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Does the Sun Transfer Heat? – Science Experiment
Discover how the sun transfers thermal energy and which objects absorb more heat with this science experiment for kids.
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Moving Heat Worksheet
A worksheet to help students understand how heat moves.
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Conductors and Insulators Poster
A poster highlighting conductors and insulators of heat energy.
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Energy of the Sun Worksheet
Investigate and record the amount of energy from the sun with this science experiment for kids.
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What is Heat? Worksheet
A worksheet to help students understand heat energy.
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Heat Energy Teaching Resource Pack
A comprehensive set of posters, activities and worksheets related to the concept of heat energy.
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The Heat is On Unit Plan
This Physical Sciences unit addresses the concept of heat energy, including heat sources, heat transfer, thermal conductors and thermal insulators.
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Moving Heat
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the concept of heat transference.
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The Heat is On
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of heat energy and how it moves.
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Thermal Conductors - Feel the Heat
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate which materials are the best thermal conductors.
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Sources of Heat
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify kinetic, electrical and chemical sources of heat energy.
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Thermal Insulators - Keeping Out the Heat
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate which materials are the best thermal insulators.
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What is Heat?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the concept of heat as a form of energy.
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Keeping Warm
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore prior knowledge and understanding of heat.