By Alexander Correa ’18
On Sept. 29, the 10th graders in Chemistry did a science experiment in which ice-cream was made.
According to Ryan Palmer, 10th grade Chemistry teacher, “Ms. [Gabrielle] Budzon and I chose to do the ice cream lab because it fits in very well with our Matter and States of Matter Unit. From phase changes to kinetic energy and heat energy to heating and cooling curves, it checks every box.” During September, as Palmer stated, Chemistry students learned all about phase changes.
The ice-cream lab was related to the class since students turned milk into ice cream using other factors. Students began with pure milk and added salt and ice after which the materials were shaken in a bag. Shaking the bag of ice and salt combined with the bag of milk caused the milk to soldify which eventually made the milk ice-cream. This occurred, according to Liliana Ramirez, “ [from] the reaction of the melted ice and milk. As the ice melted and was combined with the salt the freezing point occurred quicker.”
According to Amor De La Rosa, a sophomore in Gabrielle Budzon’s chemistry class, “ The ice-cream was amazing. [Eating the ice-cream was] the best part of the experiment.”
Overall, the experiment was a success as students learned the science of phase changes and got to eat ice-cream on the same day. When asked if he thought if the experiment was a success, Palmer stated, “ I hope it was a success! My goal every time [my students] come to class is that [my students] walk out with something to tell [their] Mom or Dad about what [they] learned at school. If [they] have an activity that will help [them] draw and make connections on [their] own it will make the curriculum more accessible and memorable for [them].” After a chemistry experiment like this, students definitely won’t forget the science of phase changes.
According to Alexander Correa, a sophomore student in Palmer’s class, “This was the best experiment I’ve done in class this year and I definitely won’t forget it.”
