Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment
It may be cold everywhere right now (more or less), but that doesn’t mean everyone has snow. Or, if you do have snow, it might be too cold and blizzardy to get out in the snow and play! In either case, you can bring the snow right to you with this fun snowstorm in a jar science experiment. With just a few materials, you can teach students all about snowstorms, gases, and chemical reactions with this one simple science demonstration. Try adding other ingredients and see how the snowstorm changes!
Getting the Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment Ready
The main set-up you need for this is to make sure you have paint and alka-seltzer tablets on hand before you get started. You can also make a small version for each student to take home, or just make one together as a class.
Get Ready for the Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment
You will need:
- Oil (we used vegetable oil but you can also use baby oil)
- White paint
- Glitter (optional)
- Alka-Seltzer tablets
- Tall jar
Doing the Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment
This fun science experiment can be used to show how a snowstorm works, or how chemical reactions can cause changes in liquids and other materials.
Pour about 2 inches of water into the bottom of your jar. Add enough white paint to make it look like milk. Add glitter if desired.
Fill the rest of the jar with oil.
You can also add a few drops of dish soap to the jar to make it overflow.
Break an alka-seltzer tablet into four pieces and drop them into the jar one at a time. Let each student drop in a piece.
Don’t add more than 4 at a time or your snowstorm won’t look like a storm as much as just a foaming mess.
Watch as the paint rises through the oil with the carbon dioxide making it look like it’s snowing!
Share your Snowstorm in a Jar!
Share your projects with us at mcsa@edupix.org so we can share it with everyone!
