Don't Use the Ice Maker as a Science Lab

Some pencils have a mystical paint that changes colors with temperature fluctuations. And, placing the pencils in the ice basin in the freezer is a really cool idea... That is, if you are going to pull it out in two minutes time for more science fun. However, as my nine year old found out, leaving it in the ice is not a good idea. After about a week, it'll work it's way down the ice towards the ice crusher. It may just be worth the laugh when inch long gnarled up splinters float to the top of your ice water.