Thermal Energy in Systems Station Lab New TEKS 7.8A

This student-led, modular station lab supports the 2021 TEKS 7.8A standard by engaging middle school students in investigating methods of thermal energy transfer into and out of systems, including conduction, convection, and radiation. Students rotate through a series of multimodal input and output stations, giving them multiple pathways to learn while building independence. Teachers act as facilitators, creating a flexible, low-prep learning experience that keeps students actively engaged.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine stations total: eight differentiated activities plus one challenge station for enrichment

• Differentiated to meet diverse learning needs—scaffolds support students who need remediation while advanced learners can extend their thinking with enrichment activities

• Includes station signage, readings, task cards, and resources to make setup simple and effective

• The Explore It! station may require a few simple classroom supplies already on hand

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version includes interactive activities in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension questions

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with vocabulary and comprehension tasks

• Research It! – Data, images, and graphs paired with guided student questions

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Sorting/categorization with manipulatives or digital versions

• Illustrate It! – Sketching/drawing models of conduction, convection, and radiation to reinforce learning

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring complete-sentence responses

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context questions to measure mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Crosswords, puzzles, games, and mini-projects for early finishers or advanced students

Flexible Implementation

This lab is fully adaptable for in-person and virtual instruction. All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them simple to integrate into blended or online classrooms.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.