Kindergarten · Science · week 31

Melt test: ice in sun vs shade

Run a fair test comparing how quickly ice melts in direct sunlight versus in shade.

You already know sunlight warms things up. Today you will use that idea in a real test: does an ice cube melt faster in direct sunlight or in shade?

For a fair test, both ice cubes need to start the same size, in the same kind of dish, at the exact same time.

📋 For the teacher
Teach it (10–15 min):
  • Set out two matching ice cubes in identical dishes at the same time, one in sun, one in shade.
  • Check on both together every few minutes and talk about what you notice.
  • Ask what was kept the same, to reinforce the idea of a fair test.
  • If it is a cold day with weak sun, try a sunny window versus a shaded room indoors instead.
Talk about it:
  • Which ice cube melted faster?
  • Why do you think sunlight made a difference?
  • What did you keep the same to make it a fair test?

Mastery looks like: They correctly predict and confirm that the ice cube in direct sunlight melts faster, and name one thing kept the same in the test.

Common stumbles: Using different-sized ice cubes, which makes the test unfair; checking too rarely to actually see the difference happen.

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