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.

Students observing state changes in matter

60 minutes

Groups of 3-4

Medium difficulty

Structure and Properties of Matter

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