Context

Quintanany Young is an 8th-grade ESOL Physical Science teacher in Georgia who designs real-world, safety-centered STEM investigations aligned with the GSE S8P2 (Heat and Thermal Energy). In this lesson, students investigate a simulated kitchen fire to analyze how heat is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation, and to examine the fire triangle to determine how fires start and spread in homes and communities. Students connect thermal energy concepts to practical fire safety strategies, including identifying hazards, understanding how heat movement affects fire spread, and developing safe home escape routes. This lesson aims to inspire students to apply scientific knowledge beyond the classroom, helping them understand how heat energy influences fire behavior and how informed decision-making can protect themselves, their families, and their communities.