Name/Partner:
Class:
Date:
The “Cool Cubes” Challenge
Your challenge is to use your knowledge of heat transfer by conduction, convection and
radiation to design and construct an insulated container to keep an ice cube frozen for as
long as possible. You may work in a pair or on your own.
The Rules
Rules for the Cool Cubes Challenge
(Break a rule and you’re disqualified from winning!)
1.
The container must have a chamber at least 6 cm x 6 cm x 6 cm in size to fit a typical ice cube.
2.
The container’s total size cannot be greater than 20 cm in any dimension (length, width or height).
3.
The container must be easily opened and closed to get to the ice cube: it cannot be sealed permanently.
4.
The container must be able to deal with a melting ice cube: it cannot be damaged by liquids leaking inside it.
5.
The container must be homemade; it cannot include a manufactured container like a Thermos. Items like
bottles can be modified to create the container as long as they are not pre-insulated. The container may not
be one solid piece of a single material.
6.
The container cannot be artificially cooled. This includes the use of cold water, ice cubes or any chemical
substance to lower the temperature.
7.
The container cannot have electric motors, fans or other electronic heat-removing devices.
8.
The container cannot contain fiberglass insulation due to safety concerns with glass particles.
The Patent Application Form
Along with your ice cube container, you must submit an official Patent Application Form. This
document includes important background information about how you designed your container and explains the
science behind your device. The patent form must include the following:
1. Your name(s)
2. A name for your invention (e.g. “Icebox 3000)
4. A complete materials list
5. A labeled, hand-drawn cross-section diagram of your
invention
6. A detailed description of how each of the materials
was used to reduce each of the three types of heat transfer
including a scientific explanation of how.
NOTE: Projects submitted without a Patent Application Form will be disqualified from competition.
The Day of Competition
On the day of competition, each team will receive an ice cube and measure and record the cube’s starting
mass in grams. Next, each team will place their ice cube inside their container and close it. After a specified time
period, each team will measure and record the cube’s final mass in grams. Finally, each team will calculate the
difference in mass. The team with the lowest difference will be declared the winner!
Rubric: Cool Cubes Challenge
(SKILLS: analysis, communication)
Name(s): ________________________________________
Criteria
Materials List
Description and
Class: _______________
Expectations
Score

List is detailed and lists all relevant materials used in the project

Each relevant layer or design feature of the fridge is described fully

Each method or strategy for slowing heat transfer by conduction
Explanation of
shows full understanding of the topic, including proper vocabulary
Design Features
and particle theory of heat transfer.
of Container

1
2
3
4
3
6
8
12
2
4
6
8
1
2
3
4
Each method or strategy for slowing heat transfer by convection
shows full understanding of the topic, including proper vocabulary
and particle theory of heat transfer.

Each method or strategy for slowing heat transfer by radiation shows
full understanding of the topic, including proper vocabulary
Cross-Sectional

The diagram is in cross-section
Diagram of

The diagram is an accurate representation of the invention
Container

All relevant layers/design features of the invention are labeled

The diagram is neat, clear and shows attention to detail
Language and

The information is written in the your own words
Literacy

Language is used purposefully and clearly

The project has been proofread and contains minimal or no errors in
mechanics (spelling and grammar)
Total (/28):
Comments:
Goals: