Waxed paper, newspaper, or aluminum foil? Keeping an ice cube from melting may require one or more of these materials. Learners design a box that will provide insulation so an ice cube stays intact for at least 90 minutes.

Concepts

engineering design, heat transfer, insulation, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• Have a contest to see which group's design keeps the ice cube intact for the longest amount of time
  

Classroom Considerations

• Scholars should have knowledge of heat transfer
• After building the boxes, the activity requires waiting for 90 minutes to compare ice cubes inside and outside the box
  

Pros

• An Engineering & Science Connections section provides additional information about relevant topics
  
• Gives a few guiding questions to facilitate discussion
  

Cons

• None