Dry Ice Day

Dry Ice Day has been inadvertently added to the second grade canon over the years.  It is just too much fun to discontinue.  I seriously feel like the kids treat Dry Ice Day like a holiday.  Except this holiday doesn't call for excessive eating or any sort of long distance travel.  This holiday calls for learning, observing, and occasional excited shouting.  Yes, I said shouting.  Dry Ice Day is not one of the quieter holidays.  

Matt, our resident scientist, was kind enough to visit our classroom right before Thanksgiving.  He brought beakers, dish solution, food coloring, and many little dry ice pellets.  Before his visit we grabbed clipboards and brainstormed some potential questions to ask about this curious substance.

Love the dangling feet!

Our full second grade community enjoyed the festivities.  Matt began the science show by simply plopping some dry ice pellets into a waiting tub of warm water.  We were gleeful as we studied the ice's evaporation process.  We learned that instead of melting, dry ice evaporates into a gas, specifically carbon dioxide.  The octane in the room was raised to aching (but fun) heights as Matt placed a rubber glove over the beaker of dissolving dry ice.  Slowly, the gas that was emerging from the pellets began to fill up the glove!

We desperately wanted that glove to pop.

Great work, Kevin and Lila!

We also enjoyed a bubble making competition.  Representatives from each class tried their hand at constructing a bubble fueled by the evaporating energy of the dry ice.  It was so cool to watch the huge bubbles pop into a cloud!

Natalie explores the vibration of the evaporating dry ice.

Another cool trick called for a coin and single dry ice pellet.  We learned that if we put enough pressure on the dry ice, it would squeal and shake.  The gas was "trapped" between the quarter and the desk.  As the gas was released, it made the funniest screeching sound!  The quarter also got VERY cold.

We all had a chance to try the "coin trick".

My students love to remind me that Dry Ice Day was the most exciting event of second grade.  While I toil endlessly to come up with something to rival it, I have to agree with them.  Thanks, Matt!