1. This project examines which common household material provides the best thermal insulation to keep drinks hot or cold. We will test materials such as wool, cotton, aluminum foil, bubble wrap, and recycled paper by wrapping identical containers with hot water in them. We will measure the water temperature over time, using an unwrapped container as a control. The material that minimizes temperature drop will be the best insulator.

2. Heat moves in different ways. It can move when things touch it or when air moves. It can also move in waves, like the sun's heat. Good insulators stop this from happening. Materials like wool and cotton are good because they have lots of tiny air pockets. Air is bad at moving heat. Bubble wrap is good for the same reason. Each little bubble holds air inside, which keeps heat from moving around much. Foil is different. It is shiny, so it reflects heat. This can stop heat from going out or coming in, but it's not good at stopping heat that touches it. The foil will go around the bottle to see if that helps. Recycled paper is also good because the tiny paper bits can trap air. I will see if paper works as good as the other materials that trap air.

3. I will be careful with the hot water so I don't get burned. An adult will help me pour the water. I will use gloves to handle the hot bottle. I will be careful with the thermometer so it doesn't break. At the end, I will just dump the water and put the other stuff in the trash. I will clean up everything when I am done.