Hot Ice Science Experiment
Type of resource: website,guidelines
Web address https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/kids-science-experiment-hot-ice/
Language: English
Description
Making ice and ice crystals.
Scientific concept introduced
Freezing, melting, temperature, liquid, solid, reaction.
Creative and critical thinking
To observe what may happen and searching for strategies.
Mathematical reasoning
To measure the ingredients.
Scientific thinking
Asking questions.
Predicting, testing hypothesis, observing, experimenting.
Drawing conclusions.
Learning how to learn
Building self-confidence, feling of self-efficacy in learning.
Motivation.
Additional
Sharing ideas, accepting leadership.
Following the safety rules and discipline.
Large and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination.
Hot Ice Science Experiment
Overall aims
To develop the ability to observe and discover.
To strengthen the research attitude of children.
To improve children’s problem-solving (take initiative).
To create the learning opportunity for explaining the concepts of freezing and ice.
To improve the active listening.
Vocabulary – keywords should be understood
Vinegar, baking soda, ice, reaction, hot, cold, substance, stir, pour, mixture, pot, freeze, boil, heat, temperature, measuring cup, crystals
Expected learning outcomes (operational aims)
To follow the steps
To explain the concept of ice, hot, freezing…
To measure or calculate the substances
To discover how to make hot ice
STEM skills – to which the learning unit is related to
CORE STEM SKILLS
● Asking questions.
● Analysing and solving problems.
● Designing experiments.
● Drawing conclusions based on results.
● Motivation to learn and engage.
● Self-disciplineand self-regulated learning (cognitive autonomy).
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Sharing ideas
Following the safety rules and discipline
Taking common decisions
Basic literacy- listening with comprehension
Teaching methodologies/activity outline
1- Measure 4 cups of vinegar and pour it into a medium pot.
2- Ask: What would happen if they added baking soda to the vinegar.
3- Add 4 tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon at a time, to the pot.
4- Stir the mixture until all the baking soda is dissolved and stopped frizzing.
5- Ask: How can we make ice from this?
6- Boil the solution over medium low heat for a little over an hour. If you boil the solution at a higher temperature it may turn yellow-brownish, but the experiment still works.
7- Reduce the solution by about 75% or until you have about ¾ or 1 cup.
8- Pour the concentrated sodium acetate into a glass pyrex measuring cup and place it in the fridge to cool.
9- Scrap a little bit of the dried sodium acetate powder off the inside of the pot to use later.
10- After about 30 to 45 minutes, the solution is cool enough to turn into ice.
11- Place a small pile of the sodium acetate powder from the pot in the center of the glass dish. This will act as a seed for the crystals to start forming.
12- Ask the children what do they think happened to the solution on the fridge.
13- Carefully take the solution out of the fridge, which is still liquid. Any bump could start the crystallizing process in the solution, so be very careful not to jar the solution.
14- Ask the children what they think will happen if we pour the liquid onto the plate with the sodium acetate powder.
15- Pour very slowly. The crystals will instantly begin to form.
16- Contiue pouring slowly to create a tall crystal tower.
17- We can touch it. It is like ice but hot.
18- Repeat the experiment as many times as wanted.
19- You can also add a drop of food color to make colored crystals.
Assessment of learning
Initial evaluation
– Get to know the previous knowledge they could know about the same theme.
Continued evaluation
– Progressively acquire basic habits of autonomy in everyday actions, to act safely and effectively.
– Observe and explore the immediate, natural and physical environment, with an attitude of curiosity and respect and gradually participate in social and cultural activities.
– Participate in the activity, through movement, assimilating sensations related to touch and time and with a progressive understanding of the necessity of some norms.
– Use the oral language, gesture and images to express ideas, desires, feelings and emotions; Listen and participate actively in regular situations.
Conversation and learning with the use of non-discriminatory language, and with attitude of respect towards other cultures and different languages.
– Manifesting the necessary abilities to be able to listen, observe, interpret and create in the different languages: verbal, body, plastic, musical, and mathematical audiovisual, and incorporate the introduction to technological instruments (ICT).
Final evaluation
To evaluate the learning objectives, use the previous operational aims.
Equipment and materials to be used in learning unit (tools, ingredients etc)
● 4 cups of white vinegar (acetic acid)
● 4 tablespoons of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
● A pot
● A glass measuring cup or mason jar (heat safe glass)
● A dish
● A spoon
Kind of setting
Preschool room, kitchen.
References – source
https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/kids-science-experiment-hot-ice/
Hot Ice Science Experiment
1. Usefulness for STEM education – integrating content of different disciplines
Cross-curricular character of the resource
The range of S-T-E-M subjects included
The presentation of possibilities of including artistic activities (STEAM approach)
2. Expected learning outcomes
Consistency (links) with preschool core curriculum
Communicativeness of description
3. Methodology of teaching
Clarity, communicativeness of instructions for teachers
Meaningful learning – using practical life problems
Original idea
The level of ease in implementing the methodology to preschool age children
The level of ease in preparing necessary ingredients, materials and equipment needed
4. Sustainability
Ecological characteristics of materials/ results
Supporting healthy eating habits
Relation with local traditions of cooking (using local products)
Low ecological footprint
Possibilities of inclusion (respecting cultural diversity and food intolerances)
5. Class management
Using differentiated forms of work – individual, team work etc.
Individual work
Team work
Whole group
6. Time management
Short activity (10-15 minutes)
Medium activity (20-30 minutes)
Long activity (1 hour or more)
Very long activity (1 day or more)