In this hands-on STEM investigation, students will explore heat transfer and thermal insulation by designing and building a container that keeps an ice cube from melting. Using common materials, students test how different insulation designs affect the rate at which ice melts when exposed to room temperature.

Students measure the mass of an ice cube before and after a set time period and calculate how much ice has melted. Through repeated trials, data collection, graphing, and a structured Claim–Evidence–Reasoning (CER) response, students connect insulation design to real-world heat transfer concepts in a clear, engaging way.

This investigation blends engineering design and physical science, allowing students to test, analyze, and improve their designs using evidence—just like real engineers and scientists.

What Students Will Learn

• How heat transfers from warmer surroundings to colder objects
• How insulation reduces heat transfer and slows melting
• How to design and test an engineering solution
• How to collect, graph, and analyze experimental data
• How to support scientific explanations using evidence and reasoning

Learning Targets

• Plan and carry out a controlled investigation with repeated trials
• Design and build an insulated container to reduce heat transfer
• Measure mass change and calculate ice melted over time
• Graph and compare data from different insulation designs
• Use evidence to explain how insulation affects heat transfer

What’s Included

Teacher Guide

Background explanations of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), setup guidance, safety notes, classroom management tips, and common student misconceptions with fixes. Includes implementation notes to ensure fair testing and consistent data collection.

Student Packet

Hypothesis prompt, variables chart, step-by-step design and testing instructions, structured data tables, graphing task, analysis questions, and a guided CER response.

Analysis & Answer Key

Sample data, expected patterns, completed data tables, graph examples, detailed reasoning explanations, CER model responses, and common error notes.

Rubric

Assesses experimental design, data collection accuracy, graphing quality, scientific reasoning, CER strength, collaboration, and safety.

Why Teachers Love It

• High engagement with a real-world, winter-themed challenge
• Uses inexpensive, easy-to-find materials
• Builds core lab skills: variables, measurement, graphing, analysis
• Strong engineering + physical science connection
• Includes structured CER writing for deeper understanding
• Low prep and easy to manage
• Perfect for energy units, STEM challenges, review lessons, or sub plans

➡️ You can get this STEM as well as all my other ones in this series inside my STEM Investigations Growing Bundle. As more labs are added, the price will increase. CLICK HERE to have a look

Best For

Physical Science (thermal energy, heat transfer), energy units, engineering design, lab skills, graphing, CER writing, STEM investigations, or sub-friendly hands-on lessons.

Materials Needed

Ice cubes (same size per group), beaker or clear container, digital scale (grams), timer, insulation materials (foil, cotton, foam, cardboard, paper towels, etc.), scissors, student packet (included).

Estimated Timing

1 class period for design → testing → data collection → graphing → CER writing

Optional extension for redesign and improvement discussion

➡️ You can get this activity inside my STEM Investigations Growing Bundle.

I also have the following STEM Labs in My Store:

• Blow Cup Challenge STEM Lab
• Paper Table STEM Lab
• Pendulum STEM Lab
• Parachute STEM Lab
• Catapult STEM Lab
• Paper Airplane - Angle of Attack STEM Lab
• Bottle Flip STEM Lab
• Paper Helicopter STEM Lab
• Yeast Balloon STEM Lab
• Balloon Lift Design STEM Lab
• Candy Combustion Calorimetry STEM Lab
• Marble Ramp: Height vs Average Speed STEM Lab
• Clean Water Filtration STEM Lab
• Beetle Genetics STEM Lab
• Adaptations by Design - Extreme Environments STEM Lab
• Newton's 1st Law of Motion STEM Lab - Penny and Index Card - Inertia Test
• Newton's 2nd Law of Motion STEM Lab - Balloon Rocket
• Newton's 3rd Law of Motion STEM Investigation - Thrust vs Nozzle Size
• Electromagnet - Coil Turns vs Magnetic Strength
• Oobleck: Force vs Flow — Non-Newtonian Fluids
• Homemade Lava Lamp - Density & Gas Production - STEM Investigation
• Net Force STEM Investigation - Balanced vs Unbalanced Forces
• Thermal Insulation STEM Investigation – Keep Ice from Melting!

NGSS alignment

MS-PS3-3, MS-PS3-4 (Energy & Energy Transfer)

Practices: Planning & Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing Data; Using Mathematics & Computation; Constructing Explanations; Argument from Evidence

Assessment

Use the included rubric to score experimental design, procedure consistency, data accuracy, graphing quality, scientific reasoning, CER strength, collaboration, and safety.