SCIENCE FUN!

SOLID TO LIQUID:
If you live in a snowy location go outside with your child and build a small snowman (to fit in a bowl) and then bring it inside. Have each family member make a prediction as to how long it will take for the snowman to melt and write the predictions on this printable Solid to liquid Experiment Worksheet. Use this experiment to talk about how snow is actually made up of water crystals and when they freeze they turn into snowflakes.

NOTE: If you do not live in a snowy climate you can do this experiment using ice cubes.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

MAKING FROST:

In honour of Frosty the Snowman you can make some frost as a science experiment. Frost can be made with an empty can, crushed ice, and salt. First, fill an empty can (we used a small soup can) about 2/3 full with the crushed ice (we used ice cubes and that still worked). Spread about a teaspoon full of water on a piece of wax paper. Place the can on top of the water. Next, fill the remainder of the can with salt and mix with the ice. Now wait a bit...about 3 or 4 minutes and you will start to see some results! Frost will start to appear on the outside of the can. Why does this work? Cold surfaces make water vapour freeze. Why the salt? Salt lowers the melting point of ice and that makes the outside of the can below freezing.

Snowman