8 Books To Teach Gratitude
by Allison Brubaker
A Cool Summer Experiment: Ice Under Pressure
byBob Engler
5 min to read
Scientific inquiries often start with: “What will happen if … ?”
"Ice Under Pressure" is a fun, hands-on way to involve young learners in basic chemistry principles, inspire them to think like scientists, and develop their reasoning and critical-thinking skills.
It takes only a few household items and a couple of minutes to complete, but ends with a twist that may be surprising. First, your little scientist needs to ask themselves:
What will happen if you put a weighted-down wire on an ice cube?
"Ice Under Pressure" is an exercise in inquiry-based learning, an approach that develops critical- and creative-thinking skills by encouraging learners to ask questions and work through problems to find answers on their own.
How to Design and Run a Grade School Science Experiment
Form a Hypothesis
Just as science experiments begin with a question, such as “What will happen if you put a wire that is weighted down on an ice cube?”, experiments are then followed by a guess at what will happen. This is called a “hypothesis.”
In the hypothesis stage of the experiment, every answer is potentially correct. “Nothing” may be just as true as “The ice cube will snap apart.”
Gather Materials
- An ice cube
- Thin wire, 2-feet in length
- Two full, 2-liter bottles
- A rigid, flat surface
- Two stools or tables
- A towel to hold the ice cube in place and soak up water
Set Up
- Twist the wire ends around the necks of the bottles just enough so they cannot slip out.
- Place a flat surface like a board so it spans the gap between the stools or tables.
- Put the towel on the board and the ice cube on the towel.
- Place the wire in the middle of the ice cube and gently let the bottles dangle on either side until the wire is taut.
Observe
The wire went straight through the ice. Observe more closely and see something surprising: The wire did not only cut through the ice, but the ice actually refroze behind it.
Prompt your young scientist to then ask, “Why did the wire go through the ice?” and “Why did the ice refreeze behind it?”
Elementary School Science Lesson: Ice Under Pressure
Who says online elementary school students miss out on the engaging activities of in-person learning? At Connections Academy, students experience the wonders of the world around them throughout their elementary curriculum with many hands-on activities to complement and enhance the lesson material.
Understanding the Science of H2O
H2O is a chemical compound that exists in three states: It’s a liquid—water—between 0oC (32oF) and 100oC; below 0oC, it’s ice—a crystalline solid. Above 100oC, it’s a gas—steam.
Two of those states of matter, water and ice, have unique properties that explain the “why” of the kitchen chemistry experiment results.
Why Did the Wire Go Through the Ice?
Ice and water are different states of the same compound. Unlike other compounds, however, the solid state is less dense than the liquid form—that’s why ice floats on water—and it takes up more space.
In the experiment, the weight of the bottles pulled down on the wire, creating pressure on the ice. Pressure forced the ice to take up less space under the wire, which it did by turning into water.
So, rather than cutting through the ice the cube, the wire actually sank on a thin layer of water through it.
Why Did the Ice Refreeze as the Wire Went Through the Ice?
Evaporation. Remember, the wire caused pressure that compressed the ice and created a thin film of water. That film on either side of the gap began evaporating from the facing surfaces almost immediately.
The combination of evaporation from the facing surfaces and the freezing temperature of them created an “ice bridge” across the gap and closed the gap as the wire moved through the cube.
How Does This Science Look in the Real World?
One example is ice skating. Skate blades create pressure and carve into the ice, which has the same effect as the wire on the cube in the experiment. In figure skating, cooling systems under the ice maintain it within a specific range. Below 25oF, the ice is hard enough to resist the pressure; skaters “lose their edge” and fall down. Above 29oF, the ice can get bumpy because it does not refreeze cleanly.
How Does This At-Home Science Experiment Promote Reasoning Skills?
“Ice Under Pressure” provides young learners with an introduction to the principles of the scientific method.
The scientific method is an ordered, repetitive process that scientists follow to learn new things, solve problems, and answer questions. The process in this grade-school science lesson is comprised of the following elements in the scientific method:
- Ask a question: What will happen if a weighted wire is placed on an ice cube?
- Do background research: What do we know about ice and water?
- Construct a hypothesis: If a weighted wire is placed on an ice cube, then [what] will happen?
- Test the hypothesis: Complete Ice Under Pressure.
- Observe and analyze the results: The wire went through the cube and the ice refroze behind it.
- Communicate: Discuss the results. Did they support the hypothesis? Why or why not?
People—even elementary schoolers—follow this process every day: Where are my shoes? If I look under my bed, will I find them? I looked under my bed. They are not there. Where else could they be? And so the process continues until the shoes are found.
The "Ice Under Pressure" experiment provides young students with the opportunity to connect a big idea—the scientific method, for instance—with things they already know. Taking advantage of that opportunity supports development of a youngster's critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
What Elementary Science Concepts Does the "Ice Under Pressure" Experiment Introduce?
By facilitating a discussion about science, teachers, mentors, and parents set students up for future academic success by encouraging them to understand—not simply memorize—what they are learning and how it works in the world around them. You can use "Ice Under Pressure" to discuss:
- States of matter
- Pressure
- Evaporation
- Scientific method
“Ice Under Pressure” demonstrates how Connections Academy’s online elementary school curriculum speaks to young learners in ways that spark curiosity and make learning exciting. Request the FREE eGuide to learn how Connections Academy can help your child discover a lifelong love of learning.
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12 Outdoor PE Activities for Kids
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Outdoor physical activities are beneficial for elementary school kids’ physical and mental health, giving them an opportunity to expend their energy and get some fresh air and sunshine.
Physical education (PE) for kids is an important part of learning at home. While outdoor exercise happens more naturally during the summer, how can families ensure that a child has fun exercising throughout the year?
Below are 12 ideas for PE exercises for kids that you may want to add to your list!
PE Games for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade:
1. Timed firefly (aka lightning bug) hunt.
Encourage children to catch as many lightning bugs or other harmless insects in a jar as they can, and see who can capture the most before you call time. Make sure to set the bugs free again! Lessons can also be incorporated into this fun PE activity by having kids learn fun facts about the bugs!
2. Sponge race.
Each participant in this race needs a sponge and two buckets, one bucket filled with water and the other empty. Starting at the empty bucket, players run across the yard to the full bucket, filling the sponge and returning to the empty bucket to squeeze the water into it. The first person to fill the empty bucket to the designated line wins.
3. Timed scavenger hunt.
Set a time limit for kids to find all the objects on a list of items found in nature. Whoever has the most items when the clock runs out wins. Older children can even coordinate the scavenger hunt.
4. Balloon relay race.
To make this race safe from germs, an adult should inflate balloons using a pump instead of blowing them up by mouth. Set up a laundry basket full of balloons and a hard chair for each relay team. Participants run to the basket, pick up a balloon, then run to the chair, sit on the balloon to pop it, then run back.
5. Sack race.
For this old-fashioned but socially distant favorite, each child will need their own sack or pillowcase. Players stand in their sacks and jump their way to the finish line.
6. Outdoor yard sports and games.
Outdoor physical education activities like sports require equipment, but you can easily set up and play them in a yard or nearby park.
Fun PE games for kids like soccer, kickball, or basketball can be played with just a ball at a nearby park. Games like “H-O-R-S-E" or "around the world” can be played with just two or more players on a basketball court. Net sports like tennis, volleyball, and badminton are great PE games for kids. Many public parks have tennis courts you can use, but you can also set up outdoor volleyball or badminton in the grass. Volleyball is always fun at the beach, but you might also find sand volleyball courts at a public swimming pool in your area.
Once you have a net, you’ll just need racquets and birdies or a volleyball. Two to four people can play each sport.
7. Solitary exercise.
Other traditional gym activities for kids include jumping rope or hula-hooping, both of which are excellent forms of exercise. Either of these activities can be done indoors on rainy days, too.
8. Group games.
Try some variations on classic PE activities for elementary school students: flashlight tag, “Simon Says” with balls or other items, and water-bottle bowling in the yard.
9. Outdoor pool activities.
As long as they aren’t crowded, pools can still be a safe option for some outdoor exercise. Swimming or jogging laps is great for cardio exercise and muscle toning. Elementary school children who want to become better swimmers and stronger athletes can do laps regularly and track their progress.
10. Diving games.
Diving for objects like diving rings and diving gems at the bottom of the pool helps swimmers practice holding their breath longer. It’s also a lot of fun for kids to play diving games, such as racing to find as many coins as possible within a time limit or within one breath.
11. Water aerobics.
Instead of signing up for a water aerobics class, create your own exercise routine to do in the backyard or neighborhood public pool. Kids of all ages and their parents can get involved. Watch water aerobics videos online to learn some moves and consider using a pair of water weights.
12. Water wars.
There are plenty of ways for children to have fun with water fights. Challenge them to stay on their rafts while practicing their splashing techniques on each other or shooting water guns.
If thunderstorms keep you inside, you can always try this list of indoor PE activities for online elementary students.
There are plenty of fun PE activities for kids to try that fit into their online school schedule. For more tips on keeping kids learning at home, visit Connections Academy’s resources page for families who are new to distance learning or online school.
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