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Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Celsius or Fahrenheit?

Why do some thermometers display two different temperatures? Students will explore Celsius and Fahrenheit and create a dual-scale thermometer.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Heavy Paper
  • Hole Punch
  • Ribbon
  • Tape

Steps

  • Step 1

    In the US we are familiar with the Fahrenheit scale of temperatures. If someone says it's 39 degrees out, we know to wear warm clothing. But in most other parts of the world the Celsius scale is used, and 39 degrees would be very hot! Have students look at weather apps and compare the results in both Fahrenheit (F) and Celsius (C). Ask them to find the boiling and freezing points in both F and C. Perhaps they can look at the day's weather then go to a conversion website and find out what it would be in Celsius.

  • Step 2

    Have students draw a mercury-style dual-scale thermometer on a piece of poster board or heavy paper. Have them align the F temperature numbers with the corresponding C temperatures. Then have them punch a hole in the top and bottom, centered between the C and F scales. They can create the "mercury" reading by coloring a portion of white ribbon red and threading it into the holes.

  • Step 3

    Then have them embellish the thermometer with drawings related to hot and cold weather, such as snowflakes, sunglasses, etc. Display the thermometers around the classroom or have students use them at home. Each day, have students pull the white portion of the ribbon up or down to position the red line at the current temperature.

Standards

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Draw upon experiences in neighborhoods, towns and cities, states and nations, as well as peoples and places distant and unfamiliar to explore geographic similarities and differences.

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

Adaptations

Have students look up a third system of measurement - the Kelvin scale. How do the numbers compare to Fahrenheit and Celsius? What is it used for?

Have students learn the difference between the metric (decimal) system and the imperial system (used mostly in the US). Have them compare a few units from each, such as centimeter vs. inch, kilogram vs. pound, etc.