Confirmation Inquiry with Ice Cubes
As it is summer break, I will be converting my kitchen to a science lab and conducting a confirmation inquiry experiment on melting icebergs. It is essential to discuss what happens when polar glaciers and sea ice melt when preparing for the scientific investigation. The melting of glaciers and icebergs is causing sea levels to rise and altering ocean currents. Multiple effects of melting ice have been hypothesized, including the rise of ocean levels, changes in ocean currents, increased ocean and air temperatures, altered weather patterns, increased storms along coasts (including hurricanes), land erosion, and a decline in fisheries. The melting of glaciers (on land) raises sea levels; the rising ocean levels melt icebergs and alter the pattern of the jet streams (World Wildlife Fund, n.d.). The continuation of global warming and melting ice will result in flooding, regions becoming uninhabitable, and adverse effects on drinking water for millions who rely on meltwater rivers (Royal Geographical Society with IBG, n.d.).
This summer's investigation involves freezing several ice cubes in a clump overnight, placing the ice in a glass or glass bowl, and pouring water to the top until the ice is touching the rim of the glass. It is a confirmation inquiry lab, as everyone has observed that liquid melts ice; liquid has more heat energy than ice. Confirmation inquiry serves a purpose in allowing students to make sense of scientific concepts that they may already be familiar with. There is more freedom to explore in confirmation inquiry than in structured and guided inquiry (Grand Canyon University, 2009).
During my scientific inquiry process, I wonder whether the ice cubes will remain clumped together after freezing in a clump or quickly separate into individual ice cubes again. I want to explore this by performing a side experiment: immediately freezing a clump of single ice cubes, while allowing another clump of ice cubes to slightly melt before freezing them.
If ocean temperatures are rising, then sea ice will melt at a faster rate. Therefore, I want to add another component to explore based on my wonderings, and that is to introduce the manipulated variable of water temperature. I will test the time it takes for the ice to melt in cold water versus slightly warm water. I always appreciate a strong manipulated variable that enables students to link results to scientific concepts more effectively. I am excited to participate in active inquiry, driven by wonder, investigation, and discovery (Windschitl, 2009). This confirmation inquiry implemented in the science classroom will help instill responsible science citizenship in students, encouraging them to advocate for policies that reduce greenhouse gases, the strongly hypothesized contributor to the melting of glaciers and sea ice.
References
Grand Canyon University. (2023, July 25). 6 benefits of inquiry‑based
learning in the classroom. GCU Blog: Teaching & School
Administration. https://www.gcu.edu/blog/teaching-school-administration/6-benefits-inquiry-based-learning-classroom
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). (n.d.). How will melting glaciers
affect people living in other countries? Retrieved June 23, 2025,
from https://www.rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools/glacial-
environments/how-will-melting-glaciers-affect-people-living-in-
Windschitl, M. (2009). Rethinking scientific inquiry. NSTA Reports/NSTA
WebNews Digest. National Science Teachers Association.
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/13177/files/2066670?
World Wildlife Fund. (n.d.). Why are glaciers and sea ice melting?
https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/why-are-glaciers-and-sea-ice-
