January At-Home STEAM Activity: Let It Snow

In many places, this is the time of year kids are having a ball in the snow. How would you like to make your very own snow here in the Sunshine State?

Let’s begin with some cool snowflake factoids:

• In the United States alone, at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1 septillion) ice crystals fall from the sky. That’s a 1 with 24 zeros!
• The most snow to fall in a 24-hour period was 75.8 inches in Silver Lake, Colorado in 1921. That’s about 7 feet high.
• The largest snowflake on record was measured at 15 inches (1 foot and 3 inches).
• On February 2, 2009, in the United Kingdom it snowed enough for everyone living there to make 251,800 snowballs each!

How Are Snowflakes Formed?

Snowflakes are formed when water vapor freezes to a particle of dust or pollen. As the tiny ice particle moves through the clouds, more water vapor freezes to it. Eventually, a snowflake is formed and is heavy enough to fall from the clouds to the ground.

All snowflakes are hexagonal in shape (having 6 arms). Each snowflake has a unique design which is determined by humidity and temperature.

Make Your Own Snow

This recipe can be doubled or tripled. Refrigerate for some really cool snow or to store in a closed container.

Materials:

1 large bowl

Large spoon for mixing

Measuring Cup

3 cups of baking soda

1/2 cup of white hair conditioner

Procedure:

Add the baking soda and hair conditioner to the bowl and mix well using the large spoon. Then, your snow is ready to enjoy!