Heat Transfer

For this inquiry experiment, I used cotton cloth, a wool scarf, a fleece scarf, and aluminum foil to test which material was the best insulator of heat.  I filled four identical mugs with one cup of 130 degree water.  I covered the mugs with the four materials and then waited for thirty minutes.  After the half hour, I measured the temperature of each cup with a thermometer and found that the water covered by the cotton cloth was 100 degrees, the water that had been covered with the aluminum foil and the wool scarf was 82 degrees, and the water that had been covered with the fleece scarf was 78 degrees.  My results were surprising to me, and not at all what I had expected or predicted.  I definitely want to repeat this experiment on my own to make sure that my results stay consistent.  I tried to keep every other variable constant, but with my prediciton being so far off the mark, I wonder if I did something wrong by mistake.  I always tell my students that it is okay to be wrong in science as long as they communicate that in the conclusion.  We discuss that doctors and researchers are wrong daily about what type of medicine may cure a disease, but they do not let that stop them from continuing their research.  It is important to communicate what works and what doesn't so that others can try something new instead of repeating something that is known to not work.  In this experiment, I was wrong.  I would love for my students to complete this experiment to find the material that is the best insulator.  Having the opportunity to choose the materials that are tested would be fun and interesting for the students, and truly engage them in the experiment.  I would also love to complete the activity in the What's Hot? What's Not? article.  The hook of the story, and then the engagement of testing actual porridge would immediately grab and hold students' attention.