Meeteetse Conservation District
Education
ICE SNOW EXPERIMENT (a project for kids to do preferably on a snowy day)
What you will need: 1 measuring cup (like the kind you use in the kitchen)
2 drinking glasses
scotch tape
paper and pen
ice cubes and snow (if available)
Directions: Go outside and fill up your measuring cup with snow (if there isn't any snow then skip this part). Take your snow inside and place it in a one of your drinking glasses. Label the drinking glass SNOW.
Fill the measuring cup with ice cubes. Try to make them fit in the cup as good as possible. Then put your ice cubes in your other drinking glass. Label the drinking glass ICE.
Now time for your predictions: Do you think there will be more snow or ice once it has completely melted? Do you think there will be less melted snow than when you started? What about the ice?
Results: Wait until the ice and snow have completely melted (this could take awhile). Then refill the measuring cup with the melted snow from your SNOW glass. Is the amount less or more than before it was melted? Do the same with your melted ice in your ICE glass? Was there more melted ice or snow? How do you think your results relate to snowpack and water supply? What else do your results tell you?
Want to learn more?
National Snow and Ice Data Center
NRCS Water Supply Forecast Reports and Maps/ Drought Monitor Snowpack Update
Wyoming Snow Precipitation Update
Other Links:
Northwest Community College Department of Agriculture, Technology and Business
University of Wyoming Department of Agriculture
