Rin and the Cool Roof

One hot April afternoon, the roofs of Rin's three wooden toy houses were almost too warm to touch. 'Could color and shade make the inside cooler?' she wondered.

She made three roofs: dark, white, and white with a shade panel. Uncle pointed out that the last one changed two things at once, so Rin decided to finish the color test first.

Rin placed equal houses in the same sunlight at the same time, added matching picture thermometers, and kept the doors shut. When time was up, the white-roofed house was cooler.

Next she used white roofs on both houses and added a raised shade to only one. The air gap made that house cooler still. Rin recorded the result with color strips.

Her family used the idea on their small chicken coop, giving it a pale roof and airy shade. The hens rested more comfortably. Rin posted a picture reminder: change one thing, then observe.

Fair comparisons make answers more trustworthy.