Sizzling Snowflake Crystal

Snow is so cool! But how is snow formed in the atmosphere? What effects does snow have on our lives? Create this amazing 3-D snowflake crystal to explain their importance!

• 1.

  Find out how snowflakes are formed. Read books such as "The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story" by Neil Waldman. How does snowfall contribute to drinking water supplies, crop growth, energy production, and glaciers? What economic effects does snow have?

• 2.

  Every snowflake crystal has six arms. Make this bigger-than-life 3-D snowflake to demonstrate what you’re learning about the importance of snowfall.

• 3.

  Using Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, draw six large (at least 5-inch or 13 cm) squares on white paper. Cut them out using Crayola Scissors. Save the end pieces. Decorate each of the six squares on both sides with your colored pencils and Crayola Super Tip Washable Markers. These are your snowflake arms.

• 4.

  For each arm: Fold a square in half to form a triangle. Fold in half again. Hold the double-folded triangle point in one hand. Cut two lines, evenly spaced in the triangle, starting at the two folds. (Cut parallel to the unfolded side of the triangle.) STOP cutting about 1/2 inch before you get to the single fold. (On larger squares, make three or more cuts.)

• 5.

  Open the square. Roll up the two inside corner cuts and tape them together. Flip the square over, roll the middle corners, and tape them together. Flip the square over again and tape the outer points. Repeat these steps for the other five arms.

• 6.

  To form the snowflake crystal, tape the tips of all six pieces together in the center. Punch a hole at the top of one of the points. Thread string or ribbon through to hang.

• 7.

  On the leftover paper, draw and cut out two small snowflakes. Color them. Tape them to the center of the snowflake. Add Crayola Glitter Glue to embellish the arms and center decorations. Air-dry the glitter glue.

• 8.

  Use your snowflake to make an oral presentation about the importance of snowfall—and then give it as a gift to hang from a window or doorway for the winter.

Benefits

• Students research information about six-armed snowflake crystals and how they are formed in the atmosphere.
• Students grasp the impact snowfall has on water supplies, crop growth, generation of electric energy, the formation of glaciers, and the world economy.
• Students create a 3-D paper snowflake to use as a prop to share their research with classmates.

Adaptations

• A common rule-of-thumb is that 10 inches of snow equals 1 inch of water when melted. Discuss the differences in a heavy rainstorm as compared to a large snowfall or blizzard. If possible, experiment to see how accurate this estimate is.
• Analyze the effects of global warming and climate change on snowfall amounts in various parts of the world. What are the implications for these changes?
• Read "Snowflake Bentley," a Caldecott Medal Book by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Discuss the true story of Wilson Bentley and his fascination with the uniqueness of snowflakes.
• Assessment: Students list at least five ways snow and snowmelt is beneficial to the world. Use diagrams to illustrate changes in snowfall due to global warming and their effects.