Objective
In this lesson, the student will explore the effects of heat on wax crayons, simulating how archaeologists study artifacts. By the end of the lesson, the student will understand how heat can change materials and will apply the scientific method to their observations.
Materials and Prep
- Wax crayons in a spectrum of colors
- A heat source (like a hairdryer or a sunny window)
- Paper for drawing and recording observations
- Pencil or pen for writing
- Safety goggles (optional, for fun!)
Before starting, ensure the heat source is safe to use and that the student understands how to use it properly. Discuss the importance of safety when working with heat.
Activities
- Crayon Melting Experiment:
The student will take different colors of crayons and place them on a piece of paper. Using the heat source, they will melt the crayons and observe how the colors blend and change. They will record their observations about the melting process.
- Color Mixing Exploration:
After melting the crayons, the student will mix the melted wax to create new colors. They will then draw a picture using the new colors and discuss how the heat affected the original colors.
- Scientific Method Chart:
The student will create a chart to outline their experiment using the scientific method: Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Observations, and Conclusion. This will help them organize their thoughts and findings.
Talking Points
- "What do you think will happen when we heat the crayons?"
- "Can you describe how the colors change when they melt?"
- "Why do you think archaeologists study artifacts? What can they learn from them?"
- "How does heat change the materials we are using today?"
- "What new colors did you create when you mixed the melted crayons?"
- "What did you write down for your observations? Can you share them with me?"
- "How would you explain what you learned today to a friend?"
- "What was your favorite part of the experiment?"