The Heater Activity

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to help students visualize functions of two variables using contour diagrams.
2. Students work in small groups to analyze a contour diagram showing isotherms over time and space.
3. The whole class wrap-up discussion emphasizes the use of contour diagrams to answer physical questions.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

This activity will help students to interpret contour lines as functions of two variables and to make sense of physical significance of topographical maps.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version

Student Handouts

mvheaterhand.pdf