Thermal Insulators and Conductors Reading and Worksheet

Real-world applications of thermal energy transfer come to life in this insulators and conductors reading passage that explores how engineers control heat using conductors and insulators to make device that either maximize or minimize thermal energy transfer.

PERFECT to introduce NGSS MS-PS3-6: Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer.

Includes both print and digital Google Slides options to assign!

In this activity, students will:

✅ READ an engaging article about how engineers use conduction, convection, radiation, conductors, and insulators to design devices that control thermal energy transfer in real-world applications.

✅ DEFINE key terms from the text.

✅ ANSWER text-dependent questions. All answers come from the text, so no prior knowledge is needed.

Topics Covered:

• Thermal energy, temperature, and equilibrium
• Conduction, convection, and radiation
• Conductors and insulators
• Reasons to either minimize or maximize heat transfer
• Real-world heat transfer technologies

Teacher Notes:

• Check out my COMPLETE HEAT UNIT!
• Please note that this insulators and conductors reading is not editable.
• GO PAPERLESS if you’d like! Includes both print and Google Slides versions!
• Answer keys are always included.
• Related standard: NGSS MS-PS3-3
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