Grades 6–8. During this unit students answer the question, "How can containers keep stuff from warming up or cooling down?" The unit begins with students testing two types of plastic cup to see which keeps a drink colder for longer. During their later investigations, students model thermal energy transfer, revise their models, and apply what they've learned to design their own drink container.

Unit materials are available as a 1-class unit kit (item #523201), 1-class refurbishment set (item #523204), 5-class unit kit (item #523201U5), and 5-class refurbishment set (item #523204U5). Carolina Certified Version*.

*All enhancements to materials and instruction for this Carolina Certified Version of the unit are approved by OpenSciEd to preserve the integrity of the storyline and the instructional model.