Make arrangements for student use of the school computer lab for research. Provide materials that may be helpful for the experimental design.

Review the following Internet resources in order to identify sites relevant to student interest and research.
Sources of Heat, Light and Sound
Movement of Heat, Light and Sound
Sixth Grade Internet Resources
Sixth Grade Sci-ber Site
Physics of Insulation

Bring a heavy coat from home. Wrap up a student in the coat. Dismiss the student back to his/her seat. Begin an introduction or review of heat and insulation. After a few minutes, ask the student if he/she is comfortable.

Brainstorm the reasons why extra clothing provides warmth. Discuss how some materials might retain heat better than other materials do.

Obtain thermometers and place them around the room. Are there some areas that remain warmer than others?

Instruct students to research Internet sites to gather information about heat and insulation and take notes in outline form.

Help students construct experiments that demonstrate heat loss and insulation.

Discuss clothing used by athletes. Form a hypothesis about the best way for athletes to dress to prevent heat loss during the Winter Olympics.

Ask students to create a clothing design for cross-country skiing. Discuss the needs of the athlete. The clothing must be comfortable. It must keep the athlete warm and yet not allow overheating. Students may wish to call or visit local sporting goods stores and ask about fabrics that are used in winter sport clothing. Students will consider ways to make the clothing attractive as well as insulated for warmth. Students will present their designs to the class.

Students will explain the science behind their clothing insulation design

Explain the following:
One of the things that is very important to the Winter Olympic athletes is their clothes. Many of the athletes will be competing outdoors in the cold. Perhaps it will be a sunny day and the skiers or snowboarders will be able to wear regular winter coats to keep warm. But winter in Utah can be stormy and very cold. If the Olympic athletes are not prepared and dressed appropriately for the cold, they could be in big trouble. Not only would they not be able to do their best in their competition, they could suffer from exposure and frost bite.

Instruct the students to do the following:
Design a Winter Olympic clothing line for a particular Olympic event. One of the things that is very important to the Winter Olympic athletes is their clothes. Go to the Physics of Insulation Internet site to find out more information.