Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Great Snowflake Debate

I was born to be a Scientist... to question, postulate and  investigate was the norm for my inquisitive brain even as a child.  As soon as the first snowflake fell each Winter, I was on a mission to disprove the theory that "No two snowflakes are alike".


INTRODUCTION:
If 20 trillion snowflakes fall in an average snowstorm, then two snowflakes will be exactly alike.

To investigate the possibility that two snowflakes may be exactly alike, snowflakes will be captured on a plain colour mitten and examined for  characteristics.

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 METHODS AND MATERIALS:
To investigate the possibility that two snowflakes may be exactly alike, snowflakes will be captured on a plain colour mitten and examined for similarities.  Child will stand with mittened hands outstretched, palms up during a snowstorm. Snowflakes will be caught on the palm of the mitten for 20 minutes. Snowflakes are generally six sided crystals, so each side will be examined and its shape recorded.  After collection, the data will be examined over a cup of hot cocoa.

One pair of plain  Navy coloured hand knit wool mittens with attached idiot string
Two warm snowsuits
One pair of child's Winter boots, hand me downs acceptable
One pair of adult's Winter boots
Two pair of handknit wool socks
Two woolen scarves  wrapped tightly over the face of investigator and recorder
Two Winter parkas
Canadian child, age 5
Recorder, adult of any age willing to stand out in the snowstorm
Clipboard
One snowstorm
Hot cocoa
Mini Marshmallows


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RESULTS: 
Sample size: 50 snowflakes were examined and characteristics were recorded. During the investigative period, four snowballs were made, and thrown between the investigator and recorder. Approximately 28 snowflakes were consumed before they fell to the ground. No yellow snow was eaten.

DISCUSSION :
Investigator ran all over the yard, chasing snowflakes. Investigator noted that some snowflakes melted too quickly to be examined.


CONCLUSION: 
From a sample size of 50  beautifully formed snowflakes, no two snowflakes were found to be exactly alike, but all snowflakes do TASTE exactly alike.
A parent who is willing to brave the elements to support a child with an investigative brain knows the importance of being a parent..thank you Dad..
A parent who makes the hot chocolate with mini marshmallows to warm you up after the experiment knows the importance of being a parent..thank you Mom.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=65044530

Mittens, snowflakes and hot cocoa mix can be purchased from the featured etsy shops by following the links listed

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for the experiment! I can now sleep soundly knowing that the snowflake mystery has been solved.

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  2. Thank you for sharing your experiment and results with us - it sounded fun! and also for sharing your love of your parents too!

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