Thermbot: TemperatureGameDesk Module

Donna MandosaDecember 27,2012

OverviewGetting StartedThermbot Science Sandbox Key Terms21st Century SkillsTeaching PointsQuestion and Answer

Getting Started with Thermbot

Download most recent version here:http://www.gamedesk.org/projects/thermbot/Or from our SHPE Dropbox folder

Walk through the game before you facilitate, to become familiar with the introduction and game

Thermbot Sandbox: Tutorials and GamePlayBuild a Bot : Snap Thermbot togetherTutorial 1: Learn about Temperature

Blinking chest light promptTest object temperatures

Tutorial 2: Learn about MoleculesBlinking thermometer buttonLearn about temperature and molecule speed

Tutorial 3: Estimate to Match TemperatureBlinking side button Part One: Move slider to guesstimate the object temperaturePart Two: Match object to slider temperature

GamePlayBuild a temperature scaleTest materialsView Celsius and Fahrenheit conversions

Build a BotBuild a Bot : Snap Thermbot together

Tutorial 1: Learn about TemperatureBlinking chest light promptTest various object temperatures

Tutorial 2: Learn about MoleculesBlinking thermometer buttonLearn about temperature and molecule speed

Tutorial 3: Estimate to Match TemperatureBlinking side button Part One: Move slider to guesstimate the object temperaturePart Two: Match object to (fixed) slider temperature

GamePlay - Step OneBuild a temperature scale

GamePlay - Steps Two and ThreeTest materials on your scaleView Celsius and Fahrenheit conversions

Key TermsTemperature: a measure of thermal energyThermometer: a tool for measuring thermal energy on a scale (usually Celsius or Fahrenheit)

Molecule: component of matter that vibrates with varied speeds depending on matter temperatureScale: system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used to measureDegree: unit of temperature measurement

Problem SolvingDiscover and experiment with thermal energy concepts thru game play and challenges21st Century Skill“Analyze how parts of a whole interact with each other to produce overall outcomes in complex systems” - Partnership for 21st Century Skills “Solve different kinds of non-familiar problems in both conventional and innovative ways” - Partnership for 21st Century Skills

http://www.p21.org/overview/skills-framework/260

Articulation of ProcessDescribe thermal energy, molecule activity, and measuring using scales in response to facilitation promptsCommunication is a key 21st Century Skill “Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and nonverbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts” – Partnership for 21st Century Skills http://www.p21.org/overview/skills-framework

Evaluation of Information Build a temperature scale and accurately judge where each object will land on the scale.21st Century SkillMake Judgments and Decisions“Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and belief”http://www.p21.org/overview/skills-framework/260

Thermbot: TemperatureTeaching Points

Problem solving thru game play to discover thermal energy conceptsArticulation of key thermal concepts via facilitation promptsEvaluation of key thermal energy concepts and application of knowledge in scale construction

Key ConceptsTemperature is a measure of thermal energyFaster molecule speeds > higher temperaturesScales assign numerical value to some quantity of a phenomenon (distance, time, weight, temp…)Degree is a unit of temperature

Thermbot: TemperatureWrap-up Time:

1 Review key concepts2 Review key teaching points3 Promote observation of physics and scale use in daily life (time, weight, distance)

Question and Answer

GameDesk ContactDonna MandosaEmail: donnam@gamedesk.orgPhone Number: 310 444 7481