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Can you really fry an egg on a hot sidewalk?

Material Magic Unit
Lesson 2 of 4
Classify Materials: Insulators & Conductors
4.7 (11005 reviews)
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
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DISCUSS: (1/2)

What would you use to get a hot dish out of the oven?

food_in_oven

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DISCUSS: (2/2)

coffee_without_sleeveWhat would you use to hold a cup of hot chocolate that’s too hot for your hands?

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DISCUSS:
How can you find out which of these materials are insulating (can protect your fingers from a hot pan)?
materials_to_test

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Slide Image
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material


1 of 7

what something is made of, like metal, wood, or plastic
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metal


2 of 7

a natural material that is often shiny and you cannot see through it
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cloth


3 of 7

a material people make by weaving threads together
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conductor


4 of 7

a kind of material that heat easily travels through
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insulator


5 of 7

a kind of material that heat does not easily travel through
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property


6 of 7

something you can observe about an object or material
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experiment


7 of 7

a test used to discover new information about a question
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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration
island by Christopher Michel , used under CC BY
rooster by DIAC images , used under CC BY
nest by D. Gordon E. Robertson , used under CC BY-SA
eggs by Mnolf , used under CC BY-SA
palms by Katy Warner , used under CC BY-SA
fire by arwen57 , used under CC BY
pan by Juan de Vojníkov , used under CC BY-SA
fried egg by Helga Birna Jónasdóttir , used under CC BY
burns by John Stone , used under CC BY
coffee by Nirzar , used under CC BY-SA
oven mitt by Lymantria , used under CC BY-SA
aluminium foil by Lewis Ronald , used under CC BY-SA
sand by Chris Oatley , used under CC BY
socks by Scott Bauer
styrofoam cups by NOAA's National Ocean Service , used under CC BY
cast iron pan by Douglas Paul Perkins , used under CC BY
cookware by Cooks Standard , used under CC BY
Frying egg in Phoenix by Kirk Erickson , used under CC BY
toes by Purpleblue , used under CC BY-SA
Activity
seagulls by Ruth Ellison , used under CC BY
pencil by Charm
Other
large fire by tpsdave
Credits
Can you really fry an egg on a hot sidewalk?
Material Magic Unit
Lesson 2 of 4
Classify Materials: Insulators & Conductors
4.7 (11005 reviews)

Featured Reviews

“My students LOVED this activity! Our discussions were high level and engaging, and they worked well with their partners.”
· Traci · Teacher
“The tangible and concrete examples really helped my special needs students understand the information.”
· Patricia · Teacher
“I love how there are short videos that teach kids a little piece and then mixed with step by step easy to follow science experiments, which are then followed up with great discussion questions. It makes it super easy to do for the teacher and easy for students to follow.”
· Erin · Teacher
“The students loved experimenting with the styrofoam cups, the aluminum foil mitts and the socks. It helped them to really understand insulators and conductors! ”
· Jodi · Teacher
“The kids loved solving a problem, and being able to test materials in a hands on way. The vocabulary sticks with them.”
· Sarah · Teacher
“I teach special education, and I am just introducing the turn and talk to your partner skill for collaboration. This activity was a great introduction of this skill while addressing matter standards.”
· Heather · Teacher
“The comparison of the materials was a hit and I loved the look on students' faces when they watched the egg fry in the pan on the sidewalk!”
· Pam · Teacher
“Having my 7 year old student be excited to really try each material and how it did or didn't change. The whole process was simple but yet very effective and engaging. Especially to young 7 year old minds! Simple easy worksheet to go along but yet made them feel like a true scientist conducting their own results but not demanding at all. Just made them feel accomplished!”
· Manila · Homeschooler
“The predictions and observations the students made while participating. Many found it to be a refreshing way to learn. Several had prior experience baking and were able to apply their knowledge.”
· Lori · Teacher
“Loved the activity of discovering what would make the best oven mitts! We also had fun with the polar bear blubber experiment in the "extras". ”
· Kari · Teacher
“The students were able to transfer their learning to their lives. For example, they came up with many things that have insulating properties such as winter clothes, their homes, etc.”
· Melody · Teacher
“I love that the kids learn the vocabulary without flashcards and forcing them. They will remember the hands on lessons so much more than reading a dry textbook. ”
· Tracy · Admin
“My students loved getting to use their "oven mitts" to feel the heat. The hands-on activities are so easy, and so memorable for the kids!”
· Kelly · Teacher
“Next time I would just have a list of different materials and further my check for understanding by having students label materials as conductors or insulators.”
· Taylor · Teacher
“Loved this lesson! The kids were so creative in figuring out how to make materials more insulating :) Loved this!”
· Charisse · Teacher
“When I asked my students what they liked best about the lesson they couldn't decide on just one thing, they liked the whole lesson. As a teacher, I really liked the step by step and the videos. The students were able to follow along without confusion. The discussions that they had with each other and as a class were very thoughtful. ”
· Mary · Teacher
“Their engagement was at an all-time high. I blindfolded my students to make it extra "mysterious" and they loved it.”
· Annika · Teacher
“We had a good class discussion after our hands-on investigation about what other types of materials are insulating or conductive. My students are looking at the world through a new lens!”
· Patricia · Teacher
“The best part was testing with the foil, gloves, and cups. They were completely engaged the entire time. They are already asking when we can do the next mystery! It is so teacher friendly. Thank you Mystery Science!”
· Gina · Teacher
“All of it! This was the best one yet. Loved how you showed the egg actually frying at the end---and the experiments with the warm/cold water....excellent! Finished today with the polar bear blubber mittens. Love, love, love Mystery Science!”
· Mary · Teacher
“The kids loved the experiment. They started with the idea that the tin foil will be the best protection and were excited to see that it actually offered the least protection. We discussed further questions like why oven mittens are not made of styrofoam, or what it would be to live in a metal house. It was fun and they learned a lot.”
· Maya · Homeschooler
“My students loved making the aluminum gloves and working with their partners to test see which materials insulate well.”
· Lisa · Teacher
“My children 8 and 9 absolutely loved this lesson and are now mystery science hooked ! :)”
· Nchenz · Other
“We loved testing the conductivity of different materials.”
· Julie · Homeschooler
“I loved listening to the kids brainstorm their ideas about what they could do to make their socks become more insulating even before I prompted them to.”
· Melissa · Teacher
“Seeing the teamwork and the cooperation to complete the activity. ”
· Teresa · Teacher
“The buzz of excitement throughout the room!”
· Renae · Teacher
“Another great lesson! The children LOVED this experiment! Not only have my students thoroughly enjoyed these lessons, they have been so simple for me to prepare for and teach! We're doing the next mystery next week!”
· Amanda · Teacher
“We have discussed conductors and insulators many times - however, doing the experiment really helped my son understand the job of each material.”
· Sam · Homeschooler
“The video at the end tying everything together was the best part. The students were super engaged! I liked how clearly the instruction were given for doing the experiment part. During the exploration some students kept trying to think of ways to make use the materials to see how insulating of a materials they could create (like layering the aluminium foil with the sock, etc. I had to steer them back to the task of testing the materials to see if they were or were not insulating. But perhaps an optional follow up activity would be how to create an highly insulating material (or set of materials). Thanks again for a high quality science lesson that took me less than 15 minutes to prepare!!!”
· Rebecca · Teacher
“The activity and follow-up video really drove home the concepts, and it was tons of fun.”
· Lauren · Homeschooler
“All of the kids were engaged and were surprised there was such a difference with each material”
· Patricia · Teacher
“Another one that the kids loved. Great interactive activity that was easy to implement and which the kids had great fun with. I can't stress enough how fantastic these science lessons are; they are definitely my children's favourite part of our homeschool.”
· Debbie · Homeschooler
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students consider the insulating and conducting properties of different materials. In the activity, Feel the Heat, students test different materials and determine which would make the best oven mitts.
Preview activity

Vocabulary

Assessments

I have a Mystery Pack

Feel the Heat worksheet 30 copies
Feel the Heat Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 copy
Coolers
One for the hot water bottles and one for the cold water bottles. You can line 2 cardboard boxes with bath towels to create homemade coolers.
Details
2 coolers
Aluminum Foil
25 feet
Plastic Bottles (8oz)
16 bottles
Socks
We suggest you ask students to each bring in one pair of socks. You’ll still have enough if half the students forget!
Details
15 pairs
Styrofoam Cups (6 oz)
30 cups
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs and share water bottles in table groups of four. Homeschool students will need a partner for this activity.

You will need access to hot water for this activity. You can fill bottles an hour or two ahead of class if you have a cooler (or a cardboard box and a bath towel) to keep the water bottles hot.

Prep Aluminum Foil

Tear aluminum foil into 10” squares. Each pair of students (or each homeschool student) needs two 10” squares.

Fill the Plastic Bottles

Each group of four students (or homeschool student) needs two plastic bottles. Half of the bottles will be filled with cool or cold water and the other half will be filled with warm or hot water. The difference in temperature between the two bottles has to be enough to feel easily with bare hands. You can use ice water and warm water or you can use very hot water and cool water. You just need to make sure there is a definite difference.

You can keep your hot bottles hot (or your cold bottles cold) for a couple of hours if you put them in a cooler or in a cardboard box with bath towels as insulation.

Standards

Jump to

Exploration

12 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

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Credits
 
Materials Lesson 2: Can you really fry an egg on a hot sidewalk?

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