My version of the ice cube exp.

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Home : 2004 : January : 25

My version of the ice cube exp.
By BN

I did this exp with fifth grader.I don't recall reading it anywhere I just developed it from another activity.

You are challenged to-- Design and make a container to keep an ice cube frozen. Which container/material has
the best insulating properties which will keep an ice cube frozen the longest?
After introducing terms such as insulation etc.I assigned the act. which was to be done at home.The students were to make a container to keep an ice cube from melting. We brainstormed* ideas and materials then they went home and made their container.They brought them to school and we put in ice cubes and

checked them periodically to see which ones were keeping the ice cube frozen and therefore were made of the best insulating material.

* We made a list of things to use:
yogurt containers
margarine containers
boxes, plastic, paper towels, foil,paper bags, milk cartons,Al pie plates,cloth, packing peanuts, styro foam, paper plates,yarn, tape, duct tape,newspaper,wood,leaves,mulch (One inventive student lined a container with mulch)

A different variation I did which also worked well-- I collected SOME of the materials. This was easier because some students had difficulty with doing this act. at home so it was better to do it as an inschool activity. We did the intro of terms, the brainstorming and then students choose things from the materials I brought in and made their ice cube containers in school.They could also bring in materials from home.This was a good group activity. I did groups of two. It took several periods to complete-- 1st period to design; 2nd to construct; 3rd to exp with ice cube.

We also observed different variables such as size of the container to see if that lead to faster melting.

This is a fun science activity. We enjoyed it.