A terrific introduction to both science and cooking.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• A hot plate or a microwave oven.
• Ice cubes
• A pot or microwave-safe dish.
• Towels
• ADULT SUPERVISION!!!

WHAT YOU DO:

• Heat up the hot plate. (not necessary if using a microwave oven).
• Make sure you warn children that the plate is very very hot and not to touch it under any circumstances.
• Show children the ice cubes.
• Talk about the ice cubes.
• Are they hot? cold? soft? hard? wet? dry?
• Place the ice in a pot on the hot plate and watch it melt.
• If you are using a microwave oven, place the ice cubes in a dish and microwave for a few minutes.
• Talk about how the ice cubes look as they melt or after they have melted.
• Is it still ice? Is it water? What happened to the ice?
• Go over what happened.
• Talk about how the ice became water as it was warmed up.
• Keep asking questions and devote a good amount of time to letting the children come up with answers.