SAS! Hailey Week Three

In our third week of SAS! we took a look at snow crystals. Lisa taught us about facets and rounding. We explored the relationship between weight, density, and volume.

We played a game called "Molecules in Motion" to help us understand the three phase changes of water. Each of us pretended to be water molecules and with the addition and subtraction of the energy source (flashlight) we wiggled around as different types of water (solid, liquid, vapor).

We began week three by learning about the different types of snow crystals. The kids looked at images of snowflakes and crystals taken using a very powerful microscope. Lisa taught us about the process of snow metamorphasis. We learned that the two main crystal morphs are rounds and facets. We also learned how to identify them in the field.

Kellie introduced the volume equation VOLUME = Mass x Density

We were curious about the differences between facets and rounds and asked various questions. The question we decided to investigate was; Which crystal morph (facets or rounds) has more water content (volume)? To answer that we went outside and looked at the snow pack. Each team took multiple samples of the different crystal types within the snow pack and weighed them using a spring scale. They recorded the data and came back into the classroom to work out the numbers. With our weight in grams and the density of water (1g/ml) we were able to calculate the volume of water for each sample. We found that facets have a greater volume of water than rounds.

The journal topic for today was water. Kellie asked us to write a story, draw a picture, or anything else about water.

Here are some images from week three!