Lorie Marchant - a parent and teacher - did this project with her 1st graders and it was very successful! She is kind enough to share that lesson with KinderArt now. It is based on an idea found in the book Teaching Chemistry With Toys.

What You Need:

• Water & Containers
• Q-Tips
• Alum
• Epsom Salt
• Lite Salt
• Sugar
• Black Construction Paper
• Glossy White Paper
• White Construction Paper

What You Do:

• Make mixtures with 4 substances and water ( alum, Epsom salt, lite salt and sugar.)
• Have the kids fold 3 types of paper in 4ths (black construction paper, glossy white paper and white construction paper.)
• Ask the question: "Which mixture will make the best snow crystal picture?"
• Children will make predictions and then draw snow pictures using q-tips dipped in the solutions. The tricky part is keeping them from dipping it in several solutions.
• Children should label their 4 sections on their papers with 1, 2, 3 and 4, one for each mixture.
• Let the pictures dry and later make comparisons and vote on which made the best crystals.
• Use mag lenses to look closely at the crystals and look at geodes, too.
• Talk about how snow is made up of crystals.

Recommended Products:

Super Snow Kit Looks like real snow! Includes 1/2-lb. bag of Super Snow powder, cups, stirring spoons, assorted food coloring tablets, teacher instructions and student handouts. Enough material for 12 students. Ages 3+.