The School-Age 1 group embraced winter and all of its elements as they created their very own crystal snowflakes. As we continue to welcome signs of winter through snow, ice and colder weather, the group has engaged in various conversations surrounding how snow is formed and the environment that snow is needed in order to be formed. Our first step to making our snowflakes was to gather the supplies needed for this captivating experience. To create our snowflakes, we used a borax solution, hot water, food coloring, pipe cleaners, a cup, and popsicle sticks.
First, the children each took turns forming their snowflake shape using the pipe cleaners provided to them. These were individually cut into three pieces, which would form all the sides of the snowflakes. After forming their snowflake to their liking, they then attached this to a piece of yarn, and then secured the other end of the yarn to a middle of a popsicle stick. Next, an educator carefully poured hot water into a cup and added a tiny bit of borax solution into the cup. This was the magic ingredient needed to form our crystals. The children were able to add their own creative expression touch here as they were provided with the choice of adding food coloring to their mixture or to leave the liquid clear. With careful concentration, the next task was to continue to mix the solution with a fork until the borax was completely dissolved into the mixture.
After the borax was completely dissolved, they placed the popsicle stick with the snowflake attached to it into the cup, ensuring that the snowflake was completely submerged into the solution. The group then left their snowflake in the solution overnight and were thrilled to see science in action the next day as their snowflake had formed crystals all around the pipe cleaners.
We can’t wait to continue to experience winter and various other STEM experiences within our program.
