This minimum 90-minute STEAM project helps 2nd-grade students develop problem-solving and flexibility as they turn liquid ingredients into ice cream without a machine. Through a “shake-freeze-pass” process, children build connectedness and teamwork by rotating roles and supporting each other during the experiment. Students sharpen their reasoning-based thinking by observing how temperature and motion change materials, adjusting their strategy if the mixture does not freeze evenly. The session concludes with a reflection where teams evaluate their collaboration and suggest improvements for future scientific trials.

Brief description of the STEAM program

People can make ice cream without a machine by using cold + movement. Scientists and chefs both test ideas, observe changes, and improve their methods step by step. Problem definition (students’ perspective, age-specific):  “How can our team work together to turn a liquid mixture into ice cream using ice, salt, and shaking—and how can we solve problems and change our strategy if it doesn’t freeze evenly?”Students work independently in groups to solve various tasks. Through engaging activities, they collect codes, which they enter into an online platform (Genially) to unlock and discover the story of The Stork and the Fox.

Age group/ Grade	Student numbers	Duration	Number of stages	Subject(s)
2nd grade students	Whole class in 12-14 students / small groups (max. 30 students)	minimum 90 minutes	5 stages	natural sciences, environmental studies