OpenSciEd Unit 6.2 · Lesson 14 · 14.A
Modeling What Is
From Teacher Edition
Facilitation guidance from the lesson plan — what to notice in student thinking and how to respond while teaching.
Building towards
14.A Develop and use models to track how energy spontaneously transfers out of hotter regions and into colder ones and causes changes in the water’s temperature within the cup system.
What to look / listen for
Students' ideas about the direction of the energy transfer and that this energy transfer occurs when higher-energy particles collide with lower-energy particles. Students will use models of energy transfer to design cups to minimize energy transfer from the air into the water in Lesson Set 3.
What to do
If students struggle getting started, encourage them to look back in their student notebook to remind themselves what they have figured out about how energy transfers between materials. In addition, ask some probing questions to help students connect what they saw happening with the butter to what is happening to cause the liquid in the cup to warm up.
Arrange students in groups to share their models. Focus students on discussing how to represent the flow of energy from outside the cup to the water inside the cup. Give groups about 5 minutes to share their models and to discuss the way they represented their ideas.
Universal Design for Learning
This modeling work can be differentiated to support engagement based on your students’ needs. If you prefer, arrange students in partners or heterogenous small groups from the beginning of the modeling activity. Struggling students may be overwhelmed with the modeling activity if they begin completely on their own. This will allow more advanced students to work with students who may still be struggling as a way for students to coach each other in the modeling activity.
Materials
Last updated from official OpenSciEd on 7/1/2026
Assessment opportunity guidance
L14-AO1.html
Student handout
6.2 Lesson 14 Handout Modeling What Is.docx
Google Form
Not digitized yet — teacher-ready Form required for Drive export
Teacher guide
6.2 Lesson 14 Teacher Edition.docx