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Kitchen 3-5 / Week 07 / Wednesday
3/6
Week 07 · Hot and Cold

Wednesday

Kitchen Lab: Ice cube race
// Chill it, freeze it, keep it out of the Danger Zone
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: Kitchen Lab: Ice Cube Race

Oliver the Owl holds up three ice cubes in three small cups. "Let's have a race," he says.

"One cup goes on the counter, one in the fridge, one in the freezer."

Bennie rubs his paws. "What do you notice? Which will melt first?"

Riley checks his watch. "Here is a hint," he says. "Look every 15 minutes."

Your mission

You will watch three ice cubes in three places for one hour.

Every 15 minutes, check each cup and write what you see.

  • Three ice cubes, all the same size
  • Three small cups
  • A clock or timer
  • A pencil and paper
  • A grown-up helper
Safety first
This lab uses no heat and nothing sharp.
Nothing is tasted in this lab.
Wipe up any water so nobody slips.
  1. Put one ice cube in each cup.
  2. Put cup 1 on the counter and cup 2 in the fridge.
  3. Ask a grown-up to put cup 3 in the freezer.
  4. Write the start time.
  5. After 15 minutes, check each cup. Write solid, melting or water.
  6. Check again at 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
  7. Close the fridge and freezer quickly each time.
MinutesCounterFridgeFreezer
15
30
45
60

Copy this table on paper. Fill it in as you check.

MAKE A PREDICTION
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Before you start, predict. Which ice cube will melt first?

Race math

You start at 2:00. You check every 15 minutes. What time is the second check?
How many 15-minute checks fit in 60 minutes?
The race lasts 60 minutes. That is how many hours?
What we sawTrue or false?
The counter is the warmest of the three places.?
The freezer is the coldest of the three places.?
All three cubes melted at the same speed.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEWarm places melt ice faster, and they warm up food faster too.
Where did the ice stay solid the longest? Type one word.
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe freezer is 0 degrees F or colder, so ice stays frozen.
For a grown-up
Help your child time each check. Keep the fridge and freezer doors open only briefly.

Race complete, scientist! Tomorrow you watch a grown-up use heat and read the fruit pops card.

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