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-indentical- snow-crystals) This is very rare. Typically a snow crystal has six branches Citizen scientist 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 Snowflake Bentley: one six-sided crystal forms on top of another. Wilson Bentley lived in Vermont A snow crystal starts as a speck in a cloud. When a speck gets cold from 1865 to 1931. From his enough, water vapor sticks to it and then layers of moisture form a six- childhood he was intrigued sided crystal because water molecules attach themselves to each other by nature and especially in clusters of six. As they grow and become heavier, crystals fall from captivated by snowflakes. clouds to the ground at an average of three miles per hour. Once out As a child, his mother gave of the cloud the crystal stops growing. It may be damaged as it falls. him an old microscope to Snow is not white, it’s clear. (Cassino 2009) use. In 1885, he became the first person to capture a Catch snow photograph of a single snow Adults can encourage young scientists to catch snowflakes and study crystal using a microscope them. Even preschoolers can do this. Investigators need a dry, sturdy, adapted to a bellows camera. dark piece of cardboard or foam core board. Place the board outside In his lifetime he captured for at least 10 minutes before an attempt to catch snowflakes so more than 5000 photos that the board is chilled and the flakes won’t melt on contact. Direct (called photomicrographs) children to hold the board flat, gripping on one side, as the snow falls. of snowflakes, no two alike. Only catch a few flakes at a time to improve viewing. Use a magnifier These images were then to examine the crystals. Concentrate on the smallest bits on the board. studied by scientists, artists, They are the most likely opportunities to see defined crystals. If this and fellow citizens. (http:// doesn’t work the first time, don’t give up. The temperature has to be snowflakebentley.com/bio.htm) just right. If rain mixes at all with snow, it won’t work. (Cassino 2009)

extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare Exploring 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. hexagons 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: • Cassino, Mark. 2009. Experimenting with crystals The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Snow is a common crystal, but the crystals are tiny and melt. Wonder. Chronicle Children can explore the formation of non-melting crystals Books. by making a Borax crystal snowflake. Materials needed: Pipe • Rosenow, Nancy. cleaners (white, if possible), string, wide-mouthed jar, Borax July/August 2011. “Planning Intentionally (check your local grocer’s laundry section), pencil, boiling for Children’s Outdoor water, food coloring (optional), scissors Environments: The Gift of Change.” Exchange. Directions: Have children cut a pipe cleaner into three equal sections (about 2” long). • Guiness World Twist them together to form a six-armed snowflake. The snowflake must pass through Records. the jar mouth without touching the sides of the glass. Tie an end of a four-inch piece • Wilson A. Bentley: The of string to the snowflake. Tie the other end to a pencil. The pencil will become the Snowflake Man. • Martin, Jacqueline hanging rod for the snowflake as it dangles in the jar. Make sure the snowflake does Briggs. 1998. not touch the bottom of the jar. Once all the measurements are right and the snowflake Snowflake Bentley. is prepared, remove everything from the jar. Fill the jar with boiling water. (If using a Houghton Mifflin. quart jar, use three cups water). For each cup of boiling water, add three tablespoons of • Steve Spangler Science. “Borax Borax powder. Stir to dissolve. Add food coloring if desired. Hang the snowflake in the Crystal Snowflake solution, resting the pencil across the mouth of the jar. Make sure the flake is completely Ornaments.” submerged. Place the jar in a spot where it will not be bumped for 24 hours. Within four • Instructables. “Make a hours, children should start to see crystals forming. After 24 hours, remove the flake 6 Sided Snowflake.” and examine. Touch the crystals, look at them under a magnifier. How do these crystals compare to real snow crystals? (stevespanglerscience.com)

Other Snow Fun: For more snow day activities, check out Outdoor Play on Winter Days.

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