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Snow Science (K-6)

Lorie Marchant - a parent and teacher - did this project with her 1st graders and it was very successful! She is kind enough to share that lesson with you. It comes from Teaching Chemistry With Toys.

Materials:

• Water & Containers
• Q-Tips
• Alum
• Epsom Salt
• Lite Salt
• Sugar
• Black Construction Paper
• Glossy White Paper
• White Construction Paper

Directions:

• Make mixtures with 4 substances and water ( alum, Epsom salt, lite salt and sugar.)
• Have the kids fold 3 types of paper in 4ths (black construction paper, glossy white paper and white construction paper.)
• Ask the question: "Which mixture will make the best snow crystal picture?"
• Children will make predictions and then draw snow pictures using q-tips dipped in the solutions. The tricky part is keeping them from dipping it in several solutions.
• Children should label their 4 sections on their papers with 1, 2, 3 and 4, one for each mixture.
• Let the pictures dry and later make comparisons and vote on which made the best crystals.
• Use mag lenses to look closely at the crystals and look at geodes, too.
• Talk about how snow is made up of crystals.

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