What is thermochromatic oobleck? Ask a 4th grader! In a unit on thermal energy, 4th graders discovered that thermal energy naturally transfers from hot to cold through three main processes; conduction, convection and radiation. We studied the sun and fire for radiation, a pan of boiling water rising and falling for convection and a pan on a stove for conduction. Fourth graders learned that heat is actually a measure of the movement of particles (molecules) within an object. For another fun demonstration of thermal energy transfer, students made the non-newtonian fluid, oobleck from cornstarch and water but also added thermochromatic powder. As our warm hands touched the cooler oobleck, the themochromatic powder allowed the color to change from light to dark, further demonstrating energy transfer through conduction. It was a fun, messy and educational class in grade 4!