People often complain that their car is overheated in the summer. In the winter, people let their car heat up before driving. Heat is very important in cooking. Meats need to be cooked at the right amount heat to kill harmful bacteria like e.coli. Benchmarks for Science Literacy gives some incite on what children think about heat as they grow and learn more.
Heat is difficult for some students .
They become stuck on the idea of a thermometer. K-4 need to learn that heat is everywhere. Children at this age are bound to associate heat with things that are warm like blankets, mittens, and their winter jacket. They believe that things that are cold lack heat, like metals. By fifth grade, students should know that heat is produced by mechanical and electronical machines and anything that rubs against something else.