Science of Snowflakes
Create your own unique snowflake!
What You Need
Materials per student
- Pipe cleaners (1-2)
- Beads of different sizes and shapes
- Scissors
Guide:
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe virtual delivery to youth.
What To Do
To make a snowflake, each student will:
- Decide whether they want a bigger or smaller snowflake.
- If they want a bigger one, instruct them to take two pipe cleaners and cut them in half using scissors.
- If they want a smaller one, instruct them to cut each pipe cleaner into 3 pieces.
- Take two of the pieces of pipe cleaner and twist them around each other to make an X-shape. This makes 4 arms of the snowflake.
- Twist another pieces of pipe cleaner to the centre of the X-shape to make 6 arms. Most snowflakes have 6 sides.
- Now, they can add beads to each arm to build a snowflake!
Discovery
Each snowflake is made up of about 200 ice crystals. Snowflakes form when water vapour (the gas state of water) freezes without becoming liquid first. This creates a snow crystal which grows as it falls through the air. Snowflakes have 6 sides or are hexagonal in shape. Snowflakes are clear but look white because of the way light reflects off them.
What's Happening?
Each snowflake is made up of about 200 ice crystals. Snowflakes form when water vapour (the gas state of water) freezes without becoming liquid first. This creates a snow crystal which grows as it falls through the air. Snowflakes have 6 sides or are hexagonal in shape. Snowflakes are clear but look white because of the way light reflects off them.