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Kitchen 3-5 / Week 08 / Wednesday
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Week 08 · Time and Temperature

Wednesday

Kitchen Lab: Minutes and degrees
// Timers, minutes and the thermometer
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: Kitchen Lab: Minutes and Degrees

Bennie holds a timer and Lizzy holds a cup of icy water. "Two tests today!" says Ferris.

"First, can you feel one minute without a clock?" Ferris asks. "What do you notice?"

Bennie counts in his head. He raises his paw much too early!

Riley laughs kindly. "Here is a hint," he says. "Slow, steady counting helps."

Your mission

Part 1: guess when one minute has passed. Then check with a timer.

Part 2: read a thermometer that a grown-up holds in cold water.

You will write down every result.

  • A kitchen timer or a clock with a second hand
  • A kitchen thermometer
  • Two cups of water: one with ice, one without
  • A pencil and paper
  • A grown-up helper
Safety first
This lab uses no heat and nothing sharp.
A grown-up handles the thermometer and holds it in the water.
On cook day, a grown-up handles the oven.
Wipe up spills right away so nobody slips.
  1. Ask a grown-up to start the timer without telling you.
  2. Close your eyes and count slowly. Say "Now!" when you think one minute is up.
  3. Write down how many seconds really passed. Try it two more times.
  4. Ask the grown-up to hold the thermometer in the cup with ice.
  5. Wait for the number to stop changing. Read it and write it down.
  6. Do the same with the cup without ice.
  7. If your fridge has a thermometer, read that one too.
TestMy result
Minute guess 1
Minute guess 2
Minute guess 3
Cup with ice
Cup without ice
Fridge (if you have one)

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

MAKE A PREDICTION
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Before you test, predict. Which cup will show the smaller number?

Look at your results

Did your minute guesses get closer each time?

The colder cup should show the smaller number.

Check the fridge number. Is it 40 degrees F or colder?

Bennie said "Now!" after 45 seconds. How many seconds early was he?
Lizzy's fridge read 38 degrees F. How many degrees under 40 is that?
What we learnedTrue or false?
One minute is 60 seconds.?
The colder water shows a bigger number.?
A fridge at 38 degrees F is cold enough.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEPractice makes your minute sense and your reading better.
How many seconds are in one minute? Type a number.
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing 60 seconds helps you check your timer guesses.

Lab complete, scientist! Tomorrow you read the Oven Potato Wedges card.

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