Thermal Energy Transfer Real-World Case Study | Physical Science | Grades 6–8

This Real-World Case Study asks grades 6–8 Middle School Physical Science students to weigh a real decision about Thermal Energy Transfer and defend a solution with evidence.

Scenario: In Metro West, dark asphalt and rooftops make downtown summers up to twelve degrees Fahrenheit hotter than nearby suburbs. Dark asphalt absorbs up to ninety percent of sunlight and radiates the heat back into the air at night. The city has proposed a $45 million plan requiring white reflective or plant-covered roofs on… Key question: "How do shade trees use both shade and evaporation to cool the air?"

What's inside: the scenario, 5 questions to consider, an answer key, arguments for and against for the teacher, and teacher notes.

Resource type: Case Study (.docx). Format: editable Microsoft Word handout with approximately 640 words (~4 pages).

Classroom use: independent response, small-group comparison, and a whole-class debate in a Middle School Physical Science course. Grades 6–8.

Format note: These files are delivered in Microsoft Office formats (Word and/or PowerPoint). If you open a worksheet that includes tables in Apple Pages or another non-Microsoft app, table formatting may not display correctly. For best results, use Microsoft Word or PowerPoint (or upload the file to Google Docs). If you run into any formatting issues, contact us and we can send a PDF version.