Video Roundup: Fun Ways To Learn About Snowflakes

As a wintry chill sets in, with the first snowfall on its way, there's no better time to explore the multi-faceted, unseen world of winter weather.

It's a magical time of year, and Education World has found a healthy dusting of both fun and informative videos illustrating ways to learn about the science, history and artistic influences of snow and snowflakes. Along with each video, we include a grade level suggestion, and a "cool factor" to match the season's temperature.

Create Your Own Snowflake

Source: Sick Science!

Grade Level: 3–12

Run Time: 1:27

Description: The brilliant minds behind “Sick Science” have solved the problem of how to bring snowflakes indoors. This video walks through a chemistry experiment using pipe cleaners, Borax detergent, water, and food coloring to create crystalized snowflake ornaments.

Cool Factor: Students can practice this magical science experiment in the classroom, or be inspired to try it at home. The “Magic Crystal Snowflake” doesn’t melt, so they can be used as classroom decorations until students take them home as an ornament for the holidays.

The Science Behind How Snowflakes Form  

Source: D News

Grade Level: 5–9

Run Time: 2:19

Description: Anthony and Laci from Discovery News take a fun, relatable and informative approach to the science behind snowflake formation. You’ll learn about different snowflake shapes and how they are dependent on temperature.

Cool Factor: This video is packed with interesting facts, like how big the smallest snowflake on record is, and a simplified, straightforward way of explaining why no two snowflakes are the same. Students can also get involved with Anthony and Laci via Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, and be encouraged to message them with any more questions they may have.

Why “No Two Snowflakes Are Alike”

Source: It’s Okay To Be Smart

Grade Level: 6–12

Run Time: 5:50

Description: This video is a funny and engaging complete walkthrough of the history of science behind the snowflake. It goes into great detail in order to answer the question about why it’s commonly believed that no two snowflakes are the same.

Cool Factor: The story of snowflake photographer William Bentley is not one you hear often, and the video includes the first photographs of snowflakes ever taken. The video also uses engaging digital graphics to keep students interested through thorough explanations.

The Art and Science of Snow

Source: USCCollege

Grade Level: 5–12

Run Time: 3:01

Description: Professors from various departments at the University of South Carolina describe snow from their academic point of view. Hear what educational experts have to say about snow seen through lenses including psychology, art history, poetry, physics, international relations.

Cool Factor: This video takes a different spin on looking at snow, and includes lots of little known fun facts. For example, it compares the age-old belief that no two snowflakes are the same from both a scientific and philosophical point of view. In philosophy, Leibniz’s Law suggests that any two distinct objects differ in some way, so there is no such thing as a perfect copy.

How Does Snow Form?

Source: HooplaKidzTV

Grade Level: Pre-K–2

Run Time: 2:02

Description: This is a short, informational cartoon answering the general questions young children are likely to ask about snow and snowflakes. The characters ask questions like “How does it snow?”, “What’s a snowflake?”, and “Can we see the snowflake designs?”

Cool Factor: Young kids will easily understand the simple and quick bits of scientific explanation. The video also goes beyond questions of snow and snowflakes to explore why mountains carry snow all year long, and how polar bears and reindeer can survive in frigid temperatures.

Compiled by Samantha DiMauro, Education World Contributor