Sir James Dewar – A Look at the Scientist Behind the Vacuum Flask

Sir James Dewar – A Look at the Scientist Behind the Vacuum Flask

Comprehension Activities
A short reading and task-based resource for grades 7–10 science classrooms (PDF + H5P) 🧪🌡️

A printable and digital resource for grades 7–10 science and cross-curricular teaching 🧪🧠

This resource introduces students to Sir James Dewar, a Scottish chemist and physicist best known for inventing the Dewar flask – a forerunner of the modern thermos. His work in low-temperature chemistry and physics helped pave the way for cryogenics and many everyday technologies we take for granted today.

The material is designed to be flexible and easy to use. It centers on a short, student-friendly informational text and includes structured follow-up tasks that support comprehension and encourage independent thinking. Whether you're working in a chemistry unit or simply want to connect scientific tools to the people who developed them, this resource fits in with very little preparation needed.

What’s included:

• Informational text about the life and work of James Dewar

• Student worksheet for creating a personal scientist profile

• Quiz questions to check understanding (with solutions)

• Two extension tasks for optional pair or individual work:
  – Students write their own questions
  – Partner exchange and answer

• Formats:
  – PDF (ready to print or display)
  – Editable DOCX (text only)
  – H5P version for digital classrooms (text-based, no images)

How it works in class:
You can use this resource to complement lessons on scientific inventions, energy, temperature, or lab equipment. I’ve also used it when I needed a calm, structured reading activity that students could complete independently. The extension tasks are helpful when you want to build in peer exchange without needing new materials.

The H5P format is useful in digital settings and supports self-paced learning. Everything is ready to go – just print, project, or upload.

A simple and effective way to explore the link between science history and the tools we still use today.

Have fun exploring the world of science with your students!
Warmly,
Lernfitness

Did You Know?

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