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Making predictions about melting ice

Starr Weems de Graffenried's photo
Early Childhood Educational Activities Examiner
Making predictions and testing theories is an important habit for children to develop. All you need for this simple experiment is four pieces of ice, a magnifying glass, a cup of water, a piece of aluminum foil and a paper towel.

1. Set up your experiment outside on a sunny day. Place one piece of ice on top of some aluminum foil, one on a paper towel, one inside of a glass of water and put one on the ground. You will be concentrating light from the sun with a magnifying glass on the cube that is lying on the ground.

2. Have your child make predictions. Which cube will melt first? Why do you think so? Which one do you think will melt next? Which one will melt last?

3. Record the results of your experiment. Did the results match up with your predictions? If desired, repeat the experiment to see if you get the same results again.

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This child is using a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun's heat.
This child is using a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun's heat.
Photo credit: 
S.W. de Graffenried

Related topics:

, Early Childhood Educational Activities Examiner

Starr Weems de Graffenried is a teacher, artist and activity designer. She holds a M.Ed. from Auburn University and is CELTA certified through Cambridge. Starr is the author of Teach Your Child Spanish Through Play and Brain Child. Contact her here.

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