Concept Cartoons: Change of State and Insulation

This resource, provided by ASE, is a computer-based version of the Concept cartoons series designed to intrigue, to provoke discussion and to stimulate scientific thinking about changes of state.

Concept Cartoons show different characters arguing about everyday situations. The cartoons are designed to intrigue the children, provoking discussion and stimulating scientific thinking as they discuss a range of viewpoints, put forward by the cartoon characters, about the science involved in everyday situations.

Millgate House Publishers has donated this Concept Cartoon focusing on change of state and insulation. Find out more about Concept Cartoons and using them with pupils at: www.conceptcartoons.com

Concept Cartoon Part One can be used at the start of a topic to help the teacher and children to become aware of the range of ideas that are held within the class. This creates the circumstance where children want to find out more and provides the stimulus for investigations and other forms of enquiry. Concept Cartoon Part Two can be used at the end of the topic to check on learning or as homework.

Individual children can be given an opportunity for personal reflection by considering the different ideas in the Concept Cartoon. They are ideally used with small groups, or the whole class, when children will have to justify their own science ideas and argue their points against other ideas and interpretations. Children who are normally reluctant to share their ideas are given support through the ideas expressed in the cartoon. Teachers have found that they are highly motivating for learners of all ages, abilities and levels of interest in science.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rxvz