My grandson is in 4th grade. His teacher assigned the class to make a container that will keep an ice cube frozen for several hours while inside. Do you have any ideas?
Well im in fifth grade and have never had to do anything like that..., but might i suggest a metal container of some sort but sealed tight with styrofoam interior and exterior?
Anonymous has the right idea.
Insulation is the key. I'd try experimenting with a stryofoam box, packed with bubble wrap or sawdust or crumpled newspapers or ??
Certainly! Creating a container that can keep an ice cube frozen for several hours can be a fun and educational project for your grandson. Here's an idea to get you started:
1. First, gather materials: You will need a small plastic container with a lid, insulating materials such as foam, bubble wrap, or cotton balls, and any other materials you and your grandson think might be useful, such as tape or aluminum foil.
2. Encourage your grandson to think about how heat transfer works: Explain that to keep the ice cube frozen, it's important to minimize the transfer of heat from the surrounding environment to the ice cube.
3. Start by insulating the container: Ask your grandson to line the inside of the plastic container with one or more insulating materials, such as foam or bubble wrap. This will create a barrier between the environment and the ice cube, reducing the amount of heat that can transfer to the ice.
4. Consider additional methods of insulation: Your grandson could also wrap the ice cube with an insulating material, such as cotton balls or additional layers of bubble wrap, before placing it inside the container. This will provide even more insulation and help maintain the cold temperature.
5. Seal the container: Make sure the container has a tight-fitting lid to prevent warm air from entering and cold air from escaping. If needed, your grandson can use tape or foil to secure the lid tightly.
6. Test and improve: To see how well the container performs, conduct tests with a stopwatch. Place the ice cube inside the container and note the time. Check again after several hours to see if the ice cube is still frozen. If it melts too quickly, your grandson can brainstorm ideas to improve the container's insulation or try different materials.
This project encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills while also teaching your grandson about heat transfer and insulation. Remember, it's important to encourage your grandson's creativity and let him explore various ideas to come up with the best solution. Good luck and have fun with the project!