Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will have learned about the different states of matter and how they can change from one to another.

Materials and Prep

Materials needed: Water, ice cubes, a pot, a stove, and a freezer. Make sure to have adult supervision for using the stove.

Before starting the lesson, make sure to have a clear workspace and all materials ready.

Activities

1. Explore the states of matter by observing ice cubes. Feel the ice cubes and describe how they feel.

2. Heat a pot of water on the stove and observe as the water changes from a liquid to a gas (steam).

3. Place water in the freezer and observe as it changes from a liquid to a solid (ice).

Talking Points

• Ice is a solid because its molecules are tightly packed together. You can say, "Ice is like a group of friends standing close to each other, not moving around much."
• When we heat water, it turns into steam, which is a gas. You can say, "Imagine the water molecules getting so excited that they start jumping around like popcorn popping."
• When we freeze water, it turns into ice, which is a solid again. You can say, "The water molecules slow down and huddle together like a group of penguins on an icy mountain."