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Everyday Machines / Week 09 / Machine Day
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Week 09 · The Thermostat

Machine Day

Machine Day: Comfy Spot Map
// A switch that feels the room
⏱ about 15 min

Machine Day: Comfy Spot Map

Rocket unrolls a big sheet of paper. "A map of our home!"

"We mark the warm spots and the cool spots," Raven says.

"Then we find the comfiest spot of all. What do you notice first?"

Nova hovers over the paper. "Hint: measure before you mark."

  1. A thermostat is a switch for heating or cooling.
  2. It senses how warm the room is.
  3. It compares the room to the set point.
  4. It switches the heating or cooling on or off.
  5. Different spots in a home can have different warmths.
◇ FAMILY COMFY SPOT MAP
On a big sheet, draw the rooms of your home.
Pick four spots in different rooms.
A grown-up holds the thermometer at each spot.
Wait two minutes. Read the number.
Write each number on the map.
Circle the comfiest spot together.
SpotReadingComfy?
Spot 1
Spot 2
Spot 3
Spot 4
For a grown-up
Hold the thermometer so the child can read it.
Ask: which spot is closest to the set point?
Ask: why might a spot be warmer or colder?
Safety first
A grown-up handles the thermometer.
Stay away from heaters, vents, the stove and the oven.
Nobody presses the thermostat buttons during the hunt.
MAP CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which spot is closest to the set point of 68?
A spot reads warmer than the set point. What would cooling do?
SentenceTrue or false?
Measuring beats guessing.?
Every spot in a home is the same warmth.?
A grown-up handles the thermometer.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEA map of readings shows a pattern you can talk about.
Draw your comfiest spot. Write its number.
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