Describe a controlled investigation comparing insulating materials using temperature-over-time data, and interpret cooling rates as evidence.
To test whether a material insulates well, run a controlled comparison: keep everything the same except the one thing being tested, then track temperature at regular intervals. The cooling rate (degrees lost per minute) becomes the evidence.
A fair test needs identical starting conditions: same liquid amount, same starting temperature, same container size, same room -- with only the insulating material different. A slower cooling rate means the material is doing a better job slowing heat transfer.
Mastery looks like: They interpret temperature-over-time data, calculate a cooling rate, and use it as evidence for which material insulates better.
Common stumbles: Changing more than one variable between the two setups; comparing only starting or ending temperature instead of the rate.