Last week, our first graders became scientists during a delicious states of matter investigation! We began by talking about solids, liquids, and gases, and then introduced a fun (and very intriguing) question: What do you think will happen when we mix ice cream and root beer?

Before experimenting, students made predictions based on what they already know. They discussed what state of matter ice cream is, what state root beer is, and wondered what might happen when the two are combined. Some predicted melting, some expected bubbles, and others thought the ice cream might disappear completely!

Next came the hands-on part of the experiment: making root beer floats! As Ms. Ursino poured the liquid root beer over the solid ice cream, students observed closely. They noticed the fizzy bubbles forming right away and identified them as a gas. They watched the ice cream slowly melt into the root beer, changing from a solid to a liquid, and talked about how temperature plays a role in that change. Each part of the float became a real-life example of the three states of matter happening all at once.

Afterward, students shared their observations and compared them to their original predictions. Not only did they practice scientific thinking and vocabulary, but they also experienced how science connects to everyday (and tasty!) experiences. Of course, the best part was enjoying the root beer floats together while talking like true scientists about what we observed.

This sweet experiment helped make abstract science concepts concrete, memorable, and fun! And the first graders did a wonderful job thinking, observing, and learning!