Cold Weather Doesn’t Stop First Graders from Making Ice Cream

First graders at Mandalay Elementary School in Wantagh, New York didn’t let cold weather stop them from learning how to make and enjoy one of their favorite treats. The 17 students made their own ice cream at school on January 29.

The students made their ice cream in the school’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) room. Their teacher, Cheryl Schwartz, showed them how to combine ice, sugar, salt, half and half, and vanilla. The students enjoyed mixing the ingredients, shaking the bags, and learning the science of making ice cream.

In the lesson, students learned about different states of matter. Before they made ice cream, they practiced measuring liquids and solids with measuring cups.

The STEAM lab was created last year as a room dedicated to science. The school collected science materials from teachers, and the community donated equipment for a maker-space area. The room was intended to give students the opportunity to participate in science projects in a hands-on environment.

Children learn by participating in activities and retain more knowledge that way. They are excited to go to the STEAM lab, where learning is fun and they are able to develop interpersonal communication skills.

Many teachers find it helpful to conduct lessons and activities in the STEAM room. Many scientific lessons have been taught in the lab using maker-space objects and materials. Teachers at the school are looking forward to making ice cream again with students in other grades and including the project in the math and science curriculum again next year.