January 30, 2012

Dear Parents,

For our unit on Technology and Engineering, students will be completing an at-home project, the Ice Cube Saver Design Challenge. Your challenge is to design a device that can keep an ice cube from melting for as long as possible. Your ice cube saver should be a container no larger than the approximate dimensions of a shoebox. The container can be made out of any materials and can be packed or wrapped with any kinds of insulating materials that you think will keep the ice cube from melting. Be creative! A few materials you may not use are dry ice, motors, batteries, store-bought coolers, or insulated lunch bags. You will not be able to put anything in a refrigerator or freezer at school. Because we will need to check your device periodically, it is important that there is some way to open it or be able to see the ice cube (Do not seal it so that it cannot be opened) You may do research on line and have help with your project, but it should be your work! Your project will need to be accompanied by a brief written response. Use the sheet given to you by your teacher. Your response must include:

1. A list of the materials that you used
2. An illustration of your ice cube saver design
3. How is it supposed to work?
4. Why do you think it will work?
5. What science have you based your design on?

Be sure to use scientific vocabulary and ideas in your explanations such as the properties of insulation and how matter changes states. Use extra lined paper or type your answer on a separate piece of paper if that will be neater for you.

1. On the back of this sheet or on a separate piece of paper, list the materials you used and illustrate your ice cube saver design.
2. Explain why do you think your project will be successful?
3. Why will the materials you used be good insulators?