More big ideas... about heating and cooling

Heat flows differently through different materials. A metal spoon transmits heat easily. A wooden spoon does not transfer heat easily. The metal is a conductor and the wood is an insulator. A conductor is something that lets heat go through it and an insulator is something that does not let heat go through it easily.

Insulators are used to prevent heat energy from moving from place to place. The special mitten that you use to take something from the oven acts as an insulator. The mitten prevents the heat energy from moving from the pan or dish that is at a high temperature to your hand that is at a lower temperature. The special jackets, pants and gloves that you wear in the winter are made of insulating materials to keep heat energy from going from your warm body to the cold outside air.