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DIY Science Snow Storm in a Jar
- Patria Lincoln Posted On Feb 27, 2018 | STEM
Whether you’ve seen enough snow to last a lifetime or would love to find a few flurries on your front porch, making your own snowstorm is a seriously incredible science project, perfect for snow days and sunny play dates alike. Learn how science plays a roll in your winter wonderland!
Materials
- Vegetable or baby oil
- White paint
- Glitter
- Alka Seltzer
- Clear jar or container – Mason jars are perfect
Getting Started
1. Start by pouring water into your jar until you’ve got about a ½ inch in the bottom.
2. Next, add a tablespoon or two of white paint to the water. No need to stir.
3. Then, slowly pour your oil on top of the water mixture until your jar is almost full. Note that vegetable oil will turn your snowstorm a little bit yellow, while baby oil will keep it clear. Be sure to show your kiddos that the oil and water are not mixing together.
4. Let your kids shake a bit of silver glitter into the jar. Ask them how they might go about making their own snow and how they’d make that snowstorm – they’ll probably come up with some pretty great ideas!
5. Finally, break an Alka Seltzer tablet into a few large pieces and drop the first piece into the jar. Sit back, and watch the snow swirl! When the storm subsides, drop another piece in to get things started again.
The Science Behind the Snow
How does it work, you wonder? Well, there are a few different scientific principles at play here:First, you probably know that water and oil don’t mix. This is because water molecules (groups of atoms stuck together) are more attracted to other water molecules than they are to oil molecules, so they stick together instead of socializing.
Second, oil is also less dense than water, which means that it will always float on top of the water’s surface.
Third, Alka Seltzer tablets are made of baking soda and citric acid. Water activates a reaction between the acid and the baking soda, making it fizz and bubble. These bubbles of water and white paint push their way through the heavy oil to the surface of the jar, causing a snow storm effect. When the bubbles pop, the water and paint sink back down to the bottom of the jar, where they started. The result looks like swirling snow!
Best of all, because the oil and water will never mix, you can reactivate your snowstorm any time you like – just pull it out, pop in another Alka Seltzer tablet, and watch it snow! How’s that for smart?
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Celebrate Astronomy Day with Kids
Each year Astronomy Day is celebrated worldwide. The stars have fascinated humanity for literally centuries, and even to this day captures the imagination of kids of all ages. Celebrate this event with them this year and don't worry if you don't own any expensive telescopes. These DIY activities use real life discoveries to inspire your little astronomers!
Track the Phases of the Moon
Bone sticks from across Europe and Africa dating back as long ago as 35,000 BCE that tracked the moon’s phases. Use a simple number line with your kids to track the phases of the moon over the course of a month, from full moon and back again. Do it for several months and see what patterns they begin to observe.
Depict a Celestial Phenomenon
A celestial phenomenon is a astrological event that involves one or more objects. The earliest example depicted was discovered in Germany in 1999. The Nebra Sky Disc dates back to 2000 BC and it depicted a star cluster, phases of the moon and the rising sun.
Use a black paper plate, or even just black paper, and encourage your children to depict their own star formations. If they can’t stay up to observe them at night, project some indoors with this Shining Stars Projector.
Astronomy to Keep Time
The Chinese astronomers kept detailed observations beginning about 600 BC, for the primary purpose of timekeeping. Their records allowed them to predict eclipses, and include the first record of events such as supernovas and comets.
On the other side of the world, the Mayans developed their own astronomical tables for predicting the phases of the moon, eclipses, and the appearance of the other planets. They used these and the cycles of the Sun, the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and constellations to establish the Mayan calendar.
All of the above astronomy was without a telescope, and you can still observe these astronomical events with your kids today. Check out this astronomy calendar and pick a full moon, eclipse, planetary event, or meteor shower to observe as a family.
Try this simple astronomy experiment to help kids as young as preschoolers understand what makes night.
Just because ancient astronomers did all of this without a telescope doesn't mean your little ones have to! All of the above activities can be done with the naked eye but if you feel like shooting for the stars check out Learning Resources Big View Telescope. How will you celebrate Astronomy Day?
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