Library Lab: Winter STEM Activity

Did you ever wonder about how salt can melt ice?  First, check out this COOL YouTube video on Ice and Salt. 

Then, try out this Winter STEM activity by STEAM Powered Family, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Winter STEM Activity

What you'll need:

• Clean tin cards
• Ice cubes
• Table salt
• Coarse rock salt
• Measuring spoons
• Digital Thermometer

Set up 5 tin cans, each with the same amount of ice.  Set one can for you to control.  This one will have no salt added.

In the next two cans, add table salt.  Can#1 add 1 teaspoon of table salt.  Can#2 add 2 tablespoons of table salt.

In the last two cans, add coarse rock salt.  Can#3 add 1 teaspoon of coarse salt.  Can#4 add 2 tablespoons of coarse salt.

Then, gently shake the cans to spread the salt around.  Make sure you set the cans far enough apart from each other do they do not affect the results of the other cans.

What do you see?  In your results, use your digital thermometer to start taking readings.  What happens?  Try it out and see!

If this experiment piques your interest, check out these other great experiments as well!