FIAR: Snow experiments to go with Katy & The Big Snow, Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening

Inspired by Snowflake Bentley, we took a microscope and observed the intricacies of a snowflake. Wow. Simply amazing!

We made pipe cleaner snowflakes covered with Borax crystals. Learn how here: http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/boraxsnowflake.htm

Why can I see my breath when it is cold? We did an experiment to answer this question.

BALLOON EXPERIMENT

We conducted an experiment with balloons. First, we blew them up and measured them inside. Then we tied them to the deck outside and measured them again once they had cooled out there for one-half hour. We measured them again in the morning. The balloons decreased by one inch in circumference when we placed them outside, and there was no change from the first time we measured outside to the second time.

MELTING AND FREEZING

We filled up a mason jar with snow and then let it melt. There was so much less water than there was snow! Next we placed a jar of water in the freezer, marking the height. (The weather didn't cooperate with us to just place it outside.) When we took it out later the height was higher! The ice took up more space than the water did.

WHAT ARE THE STATES OF MATTER?
And, what's study of winter without Olaf?  He helped us learn more about different types of matter in a little flip book.

WHAT MELTS FASTER?

We also investigated what substances ice will melt faster in. We filled bowls with sugar, salt, dirt and pepper. The dirt and pepper insulated the ice, so it stayed cold longer. And the ice in the salt melted faster. Why? "Because it lowered the freezing temperature!" explains The Girl. And that's why we use salt and sand on our roads in the winter.

 

The Boy just wanted to mix up dirt and water! And everything else!

And our perpetual favorite experiment: Volcano in the Snow!

We made a weather wheel, and also a paper compass.

I often write something out on the chalkboard and The Girl copies it in her workbook.