State Changers
Students observe how materials can change from solid to liquid and back again through heating and cooling, exploring the properties of matter and how they can be transformed.
Learning Objectives
- Observe how heating and cooling can change materials from solid to liquid and back again
- Identify the properties of materials in different states
- Predict and record changes in materials when heated or cooled
- Understand that some changes can be reversed and others cannot
Materials Needed
For Each Group
- Ice cubes (2-3 per group)
- Small clear plastic cups (4 per group)
- Chocolate chips or small chocolate pieces
- Butter (small piece)
- Plastic spoons
- Paper towels
- Thermometers (if available)
- Magnifying glasses
For Teacher Demonstration
- Hot plate or access to warm water
- Heat-resistant container
- Ice in a cooler
- Digital thermometer
- Chart paper and markers
- Camera or tablet for documentation
- Safety equipment (as needed)
Safety Note
Ensure proper supervision when using heat sources. The teacher should handle any hot materials. Remind students not to taste any materials used in science experiments.
Teacher Notes
This activity helps students develop an understanding of how materials can change from solid to liquid and back again. It addresses the Grade 2 science standard related to the structure and properties of matter, specifically that some materials can be changed by heating or cooling.
Common misconceptions to address:
- Some students may think that all solids melt at the same rate or temperature
- Students might believe that when something melts, it disappears rather than changes state
- Some may confuse dissolving (mixing with a liquid) with melting (changing from solid to liquid)
Vocabulary to emphasize: solid, liquid, melt, freeze, heat, cool, temperature, observe, predict, properties, states of matter