
Help Your Students Learn How Snowflakes Form
First, you can share with your students about the science of snowflakes. I like this video by TED-Ed.
Snowflakes are made in such an amazing way! They are six-sided crystals that are formed from the molecular geometry of water.
Temperature and humidity play a huge role in snowflakes’ unique design. This is one of the reasons that no two snowflakes are alike!
On the ground, snow’s properties are dependent on factors such as temperature as well.
The video mentioned above is a great video to share with your students to help them visualize this amazing process.
Teach Students About Snowflake Shapes
Now for the second part of this winter science activity. Once you’ve been able to share some background about how snowflakes are formed, you can dive into the different types of snowflakes!
There are different shapes and sizes of snowflakes based on different atmospheric conditions.
There are:
- thin plates: flat, hexagonal, and simple
- needles: elongated and rod-shaped
- hollow columns: cylindrical and tube-like crystals
- stellar plates: star-shaped, symmetrical, moderate branching
- dendrites: complex, branched, tree-like crystals
You can share the characteristics of each of these types of snowflakes, different facts, what temperature and humidity they may form in, and more!
It’s amazing to learn about this awesome phenomenon in nature!
Have Students Create a Snowflake!
Now for the third part of this winter science activity. Once students learn about how snowflakes form and the different types of snowflakes that nature can create, it’s time for the really fun part!
It’s STEM activity time!
You can give students different scenarios such as this one:
- “A chilly winter morning with dry, crisp air and a temperature of -8°C (-17°F) is causing snowflakes to form into unique shapes. They are larger and more elongated than other snowflakes. How will they appear”.
Students can look at this scenario and determine that hollow columns may form.
Their task will be to use different materials to create this type of snowflake.
You can use different resources such as the following for students to create their own snowflake:
- blue and white pipe cleaners
- paper
- cotton swabs
- toothpicks
- glue
- modeling clay
- craft sticks
- clear beads
- aluminum foil
- straws
- pom poms
- craft foam
- construction paper
- glitter
- sequins
- coffee filters
- marshmallows
- cotton balls
Winter Science Activity – Done for You!
If you are looking for an activity like this, I’ve got you! Inside of the Bright in the Middle Membership, you can find this activity.
It includes:
- 5 gallery walk posters with information about thin plates, needles, hollow columns, stellar plates, and dendrites
- student sheet for gallery walk and student example answer key
- atmospheric condition scenario cards for STEM activity
- snowflake STEM activity planning sheet
- editable PPT slide for STEM activity
- teacher’s guide
This is a fun activity to add to your winter STEM activities toolbox!
Looking for a New Year’s Activity? Check out these task cards!
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