About This Lesson
Subjects
- Science
- Chemistry
- Math
Time
- 60-90 minutes
Skills
- Measurement
- Observation
- Problem-solving
- Communication
Learning Objective/Goal:
- Understanding the difference between solids and liquids based on ice cream changing from a liquid to a solid
- Understand what changes in ice cream as it is shaken and changes to a solid`
Materials Needed per student/serving :
- 1/2 cup Half & Half
- 1/2 to 1 Tbs of Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla
- 2 Sandwich Bag (small and large)
- Ice (approx. 1-2 cups)
- 2 Spoonfuls of Salt
- Extra toppings
Activity
Introduction:
- Prepare all ingredients and introduce students to the topic of ice cream
- Go over an overview of what will be discussed
- Start the presentation on ice cream, which goes over the history of ice cream, how it changes states of matter, and eventually the recipe of how to make it - be sure to explain each slide
Instructions for Making Ice Cream:
- Pour the half and half and sugar into a bowl and mix until dissolved - it may take some time depending on how fast they stir
- Stir the vanilla in.
- Pour the mixture into the small plastic bag, and close making sure to remove all air from the bag
In the Large bag:
- Put half of the ice in the large bag - there should be a decent layer at the bottom
- Place the smaller bag with the half-and-half mixture in the larger bag
- Add the rest of the ice, making sure the bag is covered
- Pour 2 spoonfuls of salt into the ice
Shaking the Ice Cream:
- Have students seal the large bag with air, forming a large bubble, and share aggressively for over 10 minutes. After, check the ice cream every 2-3 minutes
Discussion
- As the students eat their ice cream, have a short discussion/debrief about how it went, if they liked it or not, and what they learned.
- Potential topics of discussion:
- Ice Cream Science: How did the ingredients change from liquid to solid?
- Favorite Part: What was the most fun or interesting part of making ice cream?
- Next Time: What would you like to try differently if we made ice cream again?
Extra
Tips for Students:
- If the bag is too cold to shake students can grab the plastic bag but not the ice inside and shake (due to the large bubble inside
- Try to be as exact as possible when measuring out ingredients!
Tips for Teachers:
- Prepare all the ingredients beforehand and make sure to have all the required measuring cups
- The recipe and serving can be scaled up or down depending on age and materials
- Be sure to explain the states of matter change throughout the process!
Extensions:
- Have the students calculate the total amount of ingredients the teacher needs to buy
- Ask students to modify the ice cream recipe by adjusting the fractions and/or ratios of ingredients.
- Recipe from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54721/ice-cream-in…
- Link to presentation
