Snow wonder
“A snow crystal is a letter from the sky.”
Ukichiro Nakaya, Japanese scientist (1900-1962) in Cassino 2009
Snow science
A snow day is a great time to get outside and explore nature. Nancy
Rosenow encourages early childhood educators to help children see
the wonders of the natural world. (Exchange 2011) When it’s snowing,
help children wonder about snow! Most people have heard no two
snowflakes are alike. “No two leaves, flowers, or people are exactly
alike, either! Snow crystals are like us--we’re each different, but we
have a lot in common.” (Cassino 2009) However, in 1988 Nancy Knight,
a scientist at the National Center for Atmosphere Research, found two
identical examples while studying crystals from a storm in Wisconsin.
(http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-indenticalsnow-crystals) This is very rare. Typically a snow crystal has six branches
or dendrites and is shaped like a star, but some snow crystals form in
plates or columns. Occasionally twin crystals form with twelve points as
one six-sided crystal forms on top of another.
A snow crystal starts as a speck in a cloud. When a speck gets cold
enough, water vapor sticks to it and then layers of moisture form a sixsided crystal because water molecules attach themselves to each other
in clusters of six. As they grow and become heavier, crystals fall from
clouds to the ground at an average of three miles per hour. Once out
of the cloud the crystal stops growing. It may be damaged as it falls.
Snow is not white, it’s clear. (Cassino 2009)
Catch snow
Adults can encourage young scientists to catch snowflakes and study
them. Even preschoolers can do this. Investigators need a dry, sturdy,
dark piece of cardboard or foam core board. Place the board outside
for at least 10 minutes before an attempt to catch snowflakes so
that the board is chilled and the flakes won’t melt on contact. Direct
children to hold the board flat, gripping on one side, as the snow falls.
Only catch a few flakes at a time to improve viewing. Use a magnifier
to examine the crystals. Concentrate on the smallest bits on the board.
They are the most likely opportunities to see defined crystals. If this
doesn’t work the first time, don’t give up. The temperature has to be
just right. If rain mixes at all with snow, it won’t work. (Cassino 2009)
Citizen scientist
Snowflake Bentley:
Wilson Bentley lived in Vermont
from 1865 to 1931. From his
childhood he was intrigued
by nature and especially
captivated by snowflakes.
As a child, his mother gave
him an old microscope to
use. In 1885, he became
the first person to capture a
photograph of a single snow
crystal using a microscope
adapted to a bellows camera.
In his lifetime he captured
more than 5000 photos
(called photomicrographs)
of snowflakes, no two alike.
These images were then
studied by scientists, artists,
and fellow citizens. (http://
snowflakebentley.com/bio.htm)
extension.psu.edu/youth/betterkidcare
Exploring
hexagons
Children can cut the folded wedge any way they wish, but making cuts on only
one side will create a more striking, six-sided shape when unfolded.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-A-6-sided-snowflake/
Snowflakes are six-sided crystals
(think of a pie cut in six pieces or a
clock with hands at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12).
Children can have geometry fun, learning to
fold paper in six sections and cut their own
paper snowflakes. Using this method,
adults can emphasize the six-pointed
structure of a real snow crystal,
rather than simply folding
paper in random fashion.
References:
Experimenting with crystals
Snow is a common crystal, but the crystals are tiny and melt.
Children can explore the formation of non-melting crystals
by making a Borax crystal snowflake. Materials needed: Pipe
cleaners (white, if possible), string, wide-mouthed jar, Borax
(check your local grocer’s laundry section), pencil, boiling
water, food coloring (optional), scissors
Directions: Have children cut a pipe cleaner into three equal sections (about 2” long).
Twist them together to form a six-armed snowflake. The snowflake must pass through
the jar mouth without touching the sides of the glass. Tie an end of a four-inch piece
of string to the snowflake. Tie the other end to a pencil. The pencil will become the
hanging rod for the snowflake as it dangles in the jar. Make sure the snowflake does
not touch the bottom of the jar. Once all the measurements are right and the snowflake
is prepared, remove everything from the jar. Fill the jar with boiling water. (If using a
quart jar, use three cups water). For each cup of boiling water, add three tablespoons of
Borax powder. Stir to dissolve. Add food coloring if desired. Hang the snowflake in the
solution, resting the pencil across the mouth of the jar. Make sure the flake is completely
submerged. Place the jar in a spot where it will not be bumped for 24 hours. Within four
hours, children should start to see crystals forming. After 24 hours, remove the flake
and examine. Touch the crystals, look at them under a magnifier. How do these crystals
compare to real snow crystals? (stevespanglerscience.com)
• Cassino, Mark. 2009.
The Story of Snow:
The Science of Winter’s
Wonder. Chronicle Books.
• Rosenow, Nancy. July/
August 2011. “Planning
Intentionally for Children’s
Outdoor Environments:
The Gift of Change.”
Exchange.
• Guiness World
Records. http://www.
guinnessworldrecords.
com/world-records/firstindentical-snow-crystals
• Wilson A. Bentley: The
Snowflake Man. http://
snowflakebentley.com/
bio.htm
• Martin, Jacqueline Briggs.
1998. Snowflake Bentley.
Houghton Mifflin.
• Steve Spangler Science.
“Borax Crystal Snowflake
Ornaments.” http://www.
stevespanglerscience.com
• Instructables. “Make a 6
Sided Snowflake.”http://
www.instructables.com/
id/Make-A-6-sidedsnowflake/
Other Snow Fun: For more snow day activities, check out
Outdoor Play on Winter Days at https://bkc.vmhost.psu.edu/documents/Activities0104.pdf
extension.psu.edu/youth/betterkidcare
Supported by funds from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, jointly overseen by the Departments of Human Services and Education.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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Claudia C. Mincemoyer, Ph.D.,
Better Kid Care Program Director
2182 Sandy Drive – Suite 204
State College, PA 16803
© 2015 The Pennsylvania State University
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