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Science

Snowman Protection Agency

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Grades K-225-35 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids test foil, cloth, and cardboard shelters to see which one keeps a mini snowman ice cube frozen the longest. A cool, competitive way to explore insulation and sunlight.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Student time: 30 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 14 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One table or clear floor areaBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather only common or recycled items needed to build small shelters around each test ice cube using a different material. Place the materials beside a simple recording sheet or blank paper, and prepare the Snowman Protection Agency challenge in one working area; no digital device is needed.

Activity

  1. Predict which material, foil, cloth, or cardboard, will best protect a mini snowman ice cube from warm air.
  2. Build small shelters around each test ice cube using a different material.
  3. Set all the shelters in a warm spot and check every few minutes, discovering the foil shelter actually heats up in sunlight, then move it to shade for a fairer test.
  4. Reveal which shelter kept its snowman frozen longest and explain what made it the best protector.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Done when: The learner completes Snowman Protection Agency after carrying out this core test: Set all the shelters in a warm spot and check every few minutes, discovering the foil shelter actually heats up in sunlight, then move it to shade for a fairer test. The learner then uses that result to complete the final task: Reveal which shelter kept its snowman frozen longest and explain what made it the best protector.

Materials

small ice cubes, foil, cloth, cardboard, cups

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Steps

  1. Predict which material, foil, cloth, or cardboard, will best protect a mini snowman ice cube from warm air.
  2. Build small shelters around each test ice cube using a different material.
  3. Set all the shelters in a warm spot and check every few minutes, discovering the foil shelter actually heats up in sunlight, then move it to shade for a fairer test.
  4. Reveal which shelter kept its snowman frozen longest and explain what made it the best protector.

Standards mapped

  • NGSS · K-PS3-2

    Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.