Each group needs:

• cardboard box (large enough to accommodate four cans with thermometers; ask students to bring from home)
• 4 small metal cans (all about the same size; ask students to bring from home)
• 4 non-mercury thermometers
• paintbrush
• 1 cup (~250 ml) sand
• 1 cup (~250 ml) salt
• 1 cup (~250 ml) water
• 1 cup (~250 ml) shredded newspaper
• Capturing the Sun's Warmth Worksheet, one per group

For the entire class to share:

• black paint
• newspaper (to put under the boxes while painting)
• masking tape
• marking pens
• measuring cups (or jars with 1 cup [~250 ml] level marked; ask students to bring jars from home)
• 1-2 extra non-mercury thermometers
• chopsticks or plastic utensils for stirring
• sunglasses and other appropriate sun protection
• several potholders or gloves

Reuse/recycling/disposal note: Recycle the cans and shredded paper. Collect and reuse the salt and sand. Throw away newspaper with paint on it.