Fun Experiments to Explore Temperature Measurement

Learning about how we measure temperature can be exciting and fun for 7th graders! Here are some cool experiments to help you understand the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales.

1. Water Freezing and Boiling Points

Goal: Learn about the freezing point (0°C) and boiling point (100°C) of water.

What You Need:

• Water
• Thermometer
• Pot
• Ice cubes

How To Do It:

1. Fill the pot with water and put it on the stove.
2. Use the thermometer to check the water’s temperature as it gets hotter. Write down what you see until the water starts to boil.
3. In a cup, add ice cubes to some water. Measure and write down the temperature as the ice melts.

What You’ll Learn: This experiment helps you see how temperature indicates important changes in water.

2. Temperature and the Human Body

Goal: Compare normal body temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit.

What You Need:

• Digital thermometer
• Chart paper
• Colored pens

How To Do It:

1. Use the digital thermometer to check the temperature of a few friends.
2. Write down their temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
3. Make a chart to show your results. Use this formula to convert between the two scales:

$F = C \times \frac{9}{5} + 32$

What You’ll Learn: You’ll understand why temperature matters for our health and how to change between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

3. Create a Mini Weather Station

Goal: Measure temperature changes indoors and outdoors.

What You Need:

• Two thermometers
• Cardboard box
• Scissors
• Notebook

How To Do It:

1. Put one thermometer inside your house and the other one outside in a shady spot.
2. Take temperature readings at different times throughout the day.
3. Write down what you find in your notebook.

What You’ll Learn: You’ll see how temperature can change based on where you are and what time of day it is.

4. Ice Cream in a Bag

Goal: Learn how salt can lower the freezing point of water.

What You Need:

• Ice
• Salt
• Two zip-lock bags
• Ingredients for ice cream (milk, sugar, vanilla)

How To Do It:

1. Mix the ice cream ingredients in one zip-lock bag.
2. Fill the other bag with ice and sprinkle salt on it. Place the first bag inside the second bag.
3. Shake the bags for about 5-10 minutes, then check the temperature of the ice mixture.

What You’ll Learn: This tasty experiment shows how temperature affects different states of matter. Plus, you get to enjoy homemade ice cream!

These fun experiments make learning about temperature measurement hands-on and connect math to everyday life, making it an unforgettable experience!