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 reasoned 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.
SPIRIT Skill Focus
- Connectedness,
- Valuing people and nature
- Sense of wonder / Curiosity / Openness
Complementary/Secondary SPIRIT Skill(s)
- Flexibility,
- Problem-solving
Basic Information Sheet
| Age group | Student number | Duration | Number of stages | Subjects connection and relevance |
| 2nd grade students | 12-14 students in small groups | minimum 90 minutes | 5 stages | natural sciences (states of matter, temperature change), Social-Emotional Learning |
National curriculum Link and Objectives
- Observe and describe a change of state (liquid → semi-solid) through cooling and mixing.
- Understand in a simple way that ice + salt gets colder and helps freezing happen.
- Practice basic measuring (cups/spoons) and following a sequence safely.
- Build vocabulary: freeze, melt, shake, cold, mix, teamwork, share, experiment.
- Explore cause–effect: shaking, spreading, time, and temperature impact results.