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Instant Snow Polymer NGSS

  • Instant Snow Polymer 100 g (1/5 lb)
    Item #: GB-300
  • Makes 3 gallons of snow
  • - +
  • Instant Snow Polymer 454 g (1 lb)
    Item #: GB-315
  • Makes 13 gallons of snow
  • - +
  • Instant Snow Polymer 2270 g (5 lb package)
    Item #: GB-320
  • Makes 68 gallons of snow
    We reserve the right to limit quantities
  • - +
Is it magic? No, it's science!

Description

Add water to this granular white powder and watch it instantly expand to 40 times its original volume. The result is a fluffy artificial snow that feels as cool as it looks! Our snow won't "melt" but if you use distilled water, it can be dehydrated and re-used. Great for teaching endothermic and exothermic reactions or as part of a polymer lab. This is a great demonstration of interest to students and educators of ALL ages and abilities. Check out our blog link for an easy-to-follow polymer lab lesson. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Download the SDS of this product.

blog button Read more on our Blog - What is That Stuff? An Instant Snow Polymer Lab

 choking hazard

Video


Instant Snow

Lesson Ideas

Download the pdf of a lesson on teaching the Scientific Method using our Instant Snow Polymer!

Download a pdf filled with classroom activities.

Download the MSDS of this product.

Scientific Method with Snow Polymer

Immediately after hydrating the snow polymer have students touch the expanded material. It should be slightly warm to the touch as the reaction between the water and the polymer is slightly exothermic. If students touch a sample of snow that was previously expanded (10 minutes or more) they will find it cool to the touch. Question students as to why this might be, (the reason is that the water in the polymer is beginning to evaporate and it takes heat energy for this process to occur).

Have students brainstorm what variables might affect the evaporation rate of the water over a long period of time. Possible variables might be the size of the container it is left in, the shape of the container, the temperature of the room, the humidity of the room, etc.

Students should select ONE of these variables to test how the evaporation rate of the hydrated polymer is affected. All the other possible variables must be kept constant. A sample lab sheet is included for students.

Students should design an experiment based on the variable they select to examine. Each group should have 3 different values to test. For example, if they select the size of the container the snow is kept in, there should be three different containers. Students should be sure that the containers are all made from the same material, are kept in the same area, etc.

After the groups have properly planned their experiment they should begin the data collection stage. Give each group the same amount of expanded snow to use to test their hypothesis. Over the next two weeks have students measure each of their samples, using a balance each day and recording the mass on their data table. This should take very little time, so the remainder of the experiment can be completed for homework.

Upon writing a conclusion, students can be expected to report their findings to the class. This is a wonderful lab activity to give students a basic understanding of the steps involved in the scientific method.

SNOW POLYMER LAB

In this lab, you and your group will investigate an independent variable to see how it affects a dependent variable. The dependent variable for all groups will be the evaporation rate of the water in the snow polymer.

  1. Brainstorm a list of variables you think may be important in changing the rate of evaporation of the water from the snow polymer.

  2. Now, with your group, choose only ONE of these variables to be your independent variable. Record:

  3. Write your problem: State as, 'What is the relationship between (your chosen independent variable) and the rate of water evaporation?'

  4. Write your hypothesis (how you think your independent variable may affect the rate of evaporation).

  5. ALL the variables you listed in #1 that are NOT your independent variable are your constants. In the space below, please list these variables that you will not allow to change as you conduct your experiment. How will you ensure that each is unchanged?

  6. Now discuss and record the actual design of your experiment, listing procedures you plan to follow. You'll need at least 3 trials of at least 3 different values of your independent variable. Remember to mention keeping the constants and be sure to explain how you will keep your measurements of the dependent variable accurate. Make a step-by-step, numbered rough draft of your general lab procedures in the space below.

  7. Design a Data Table to record your measurements of a two-week period.

  8. Create a graph to display your data. Be sure to label your x and y axes appropriately.

  9. Write a conclusion that summarizes the relationship between each change of the independent variable and the dependent variable. A reasonable explanation of your results should be included.
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Reviews

32 reviews
Snow Much Fun!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jun 14, 2023
My students eyes sparkled with delight when we made instant snow in June. So easy to make and so much fun to play with. We even tried putting a few drops of food coloring in the water before combining the water with the instant snow polymer. This made different color snow that they could layer in a cup or make designs on their tray! This was an instant favorite for my kiddos!
Diana Walker

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The BEST!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Apr 12, 2020
I have been getting this product for years & will continue to do so. I absolutely love it. I've used it in a champagne flute, under the Xmas tree, on the dining room table, at the doorstep, etc. I put it in little baggies tied with ribbons and attached it (with directions) to my Xmas cards that read, "Let it snow". A huge hit! It's exactly as described. I'm in Florida (since living in Ct. most of my life) & it's snow fun! A great decorating accessory and a great gift for Southerners-especially kids (of all ages) who have never seen snow. You can't get any closer than with this. Love, love, love!
Alison Paris

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2   0

Fun for all ages
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Nov 12, 2019
Performs exactly as described. Engaging experiment for all ages, even adults.
Candy

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0   0

It's Really Cool (no pun intended)
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jul 31, 2019
It was really cool to watch such a small amount of this dry white powder, when added enough water expanded so much- It was soft to the touch- not exactly like snow, more spongey and squishy than the expected feel. But otherwise similar to snow. The drying and reusing came difficult for the first use, as it didn't dry that easily or quickly in a bucket, but it evaporated and left the original powder so much more quickly when it was put in a paper bag. Otherwise it was really fun!
Kevin Grady

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1   0

Instant Snow Polymer
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Mar 11, 2019
Best snow polymer available. It works every time! I use "Instant Snow Polymer" to help my 2nd-graders better understand how to plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of matter by their observable properties.
Jason Lindsey

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1   0

Instant Snow Polymer
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Feb 19, 2019
Wow! This is one of our most engaging chemistry outreach activities yet. As a hands-on activity, each student is given a plastic cup containing 1.2 g of the instant polymer. In a graduated cylinder, they measure 23 mL of DI water. He/she pours the water into the cup; the water/polymer combination grows into "snow" before their very eyes! Since it relatively. harmless, they can explore some of the properties and compare them to real snow, reaching the conclusion it is not snow. We save the cups for future use. For large audiences we use 23 g of the snow polymer and 230 mL of DI water. Recently, I traveled to the BASIS Primary Charter School Phoenix where I was staging a demonstration show for the entire school in two presentations working with the head of the school, one of my former Duke presenters. The day before, we traveled from class to class performing the snow polymer demonstration placing the 23 g of snow polymer into the "magic goblet" (a pewter goblet I purchased on-line) prior to entering the classroom and the 230 mL of the "magic water of Duke" (230 mL of water from the BASIS) in a water bottle from Duke. We used this demonstration to stimulate questions and to prepare them for the next day's show. The demonstration also stimulated numerous questions about the snow polymer and chemistry in general. The day after the show, we visited the kindergarten classes who had not seen the instant snow prior to the show. Again, numerous questions arose and I had time to discuss the difference between performing a demonstration (the outcome and reasoning is understood) and an experiment (one where the outcome and reasoning is not understood). The kids were thoroughly engaged the entire time. A real success. I highly recommend the use of this demonstration as part of your instructional program, no matter the grade level.
Kenneth Lyle

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1   0

Instant snow
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jul 25, 2018
Did the demo for 10 years old kids, it turned out to be so good. All loved it. Good way to teach them about the polymer characteristic
Susaritha Chandrabose

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0   0

Love It
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jun 3, 2018
I had a student ask me about this product so I ordered it. Once all of my classes saw it, everyone wanted to try it out. It left them asking questions and wanting to try different experiments with it. A very fun product.
Chris

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0   0

Best Value
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Dec 19, 2015
I've been purchasing the snow polymer from EI for a few years now. It's the best value I've found online so far. Sometimes you can get free shipping with a $50 minimum order. But even with $7.95 shipping, it's a better value than what I've found on other sites like amazon with free shipping. I purchase 2 1-pound containers and distribute 1 tablespoon to about 60 students each year. That's more than enough and I'll have leftover for the next year.
Joel

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3   0

Kid of all ages love it!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Nov 25, 2015
Great fun for everyone. When demoing in a cupped hand, all ages are intrigued. I would suggest adding to info that it should not be rinsed down drains as a precaution.
Candy Godbee

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instant snow polimer
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jul 5, 2015
amazing, children were excited
CARLOS LAROSA

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retired science teacher
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Dec 8, 2014
a very fun lab
Lillian Houser

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INSTANT SNOW POLYMER
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 1, 2013
A great product. Directions are very clear and easy to follow. A great way to introduce polymers.
Charles Skillings

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1   0

Process Improvement Manager
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jan 18, 2013
Great examples of hydrophilic polymers kids. They LOVED playing with the instant snow and bouncy balls and were mesmerized with how much water the diaper polymer held
Renee Thomas

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0   0

el.teacher
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jan 2, 2013
snow is a lot of fun for the students
c.davies

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0   0

Manager, Applied Technology
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Sep 28, 2012
A definite kid pleaser! I use it for demonstrations on polymers for kindergarten on up. At Christmas, I take it in as a craft. Fill a clear ornament with the powder, add water & shake. Explain some science while the kids are ooing and ahhing!
Carol Bateman

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Buy an extra for the kitchen!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Jun 5, 2012
We all know the WOW factor has in the classroom but you can also WOW your family! This morning a new gallon of milk came tumbling out of the refrigerator and burst open on the floor. Remaining calm, I went to my teacher supplies in the basement and got a bottle of Instant Snow. Within seconds we had the whitest snow ever on the kitchen floor! A dustpan and brush cleaned up the milky snow.
Jeff

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1   0

Southernmost Snow
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 29, 2012
Since my school is located in the Southernmost City of the U.S.A., it is difficult for my elementary students to truly understand what is it like to play in the snow. I have used this product, snow polymer, to experience the thrill of feeling the chill of snow. The first days of the season, which is usually just a few days before winter break, we incorporate learning about snow, snowflake structure and the water cycle. This is not fully appreciated until we have the "suprprise" lesson where we create snow in the classroom. (Usually all students are wishing for snow at this point of our lesson.) We have sudents write snow sensory poems based on their hands-on experiences and snow fantasy adventures, while my advanced students were able to utilize the hands-on for more creative problem solving such as what happens when the polymer is used in various temperature settings - outside in humidity, freeze product before/after, and temperature record keeping. The excitement of using snow where there is no snow created a meaningful experience for the entire class! We can't wait for the next winter season to arrive!
Katrina Madok

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Winter Fun in AZ
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 22, 2012
We used this product in January this year. Living in AZ where it feels like Spring in January, this product allowed the students to feel snow. We also talked about polymers and states of matter. Many uses for this product.
Renee Ashlock

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0   0

Wow Your Crowds!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 22, 2012
This is one of the best products that EI sells! I teach a college class of pre service teachers who, when I have them work with the polymer, giggle just like the kiddos do!!!! Everyone wants to immediately order as soon as the experiment is over!
Tanna Nicely

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INSTANT SNOW - A SUCCESS!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 22, 2012
This wonderful polymer amazes the kids!! They love to see how it changes form almost instantly!! Not to mention the uses it has in everyday life they knew nothing about! LOVE this product!!
Miriam Sawyer

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1   0

Want to be Famous? Make snow in your classroom!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 22, 2012
You'll become famous amongst your students when you make snow inside your classroom! This experiment is so much fun and the kids love it. They never think it is possible to make snow indoors but little do they know with the instant snow polymer it will form before their eyes! I've been doing this experiment for four years and it never fails! The kids absolutely love it and they monitor it for a week to see if it changes or melts. Give it a whirl to see just how awesome this product really is!
Laura Herr

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1   0

Instant Success
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 21, 2012
Worked great!
Kim

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Fun!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 17, 2012
All of my students love to watch the snow grow right before their eyes!
Jennifer

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Wow!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 17, 2012
My students are always wowed by the expansion lab. The snow is fun and sparks my students attention.
Chris Swafford

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1   0

Kinda cold too
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 16, 2012
I saw this at the NSTA conference in Indianapolis, Indiana and thought it was really great. Could be used to answer the question...why do we need to study this? Answer: Because it can be fun and can even help make movies and earn $!
Mr. G

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0   1

Instant Snow
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 16, 2012
Great product--kids just love it!
Julie

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science educator
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 16, 2012
Just used this with my chem students as part of a polymer lab. The students loved it!
Cheryl Ann Park

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Instant Snow
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 16, 2012
I have used this product for 7 years to engage students, have fun, and to stimulate inquiry skills of my students.
David Mangus

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0   1

Fantastic!!!
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 16, 2012
This is a fantastic product to demonstrate physical and chemical changes. Then after the demo, I put some in a baggie and use it as a stress reliever.
Ms. Williams

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Great Endothermic Exothermic teaching
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 16, 2012
My students love instant snow. I use it along with two other mini labs to teach endothermic and exothermic reactions. Use food dye to add color and students will beg to take with to show all their friends. Yellow snow is the most popular!
Susan Wanzer

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Great Product
Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon Review star icon May 1, 2012
Educational Innovations offers some of the best products for educators. This is some of the best Instant Snow on the market! Kids, young and old, LOVE this product.
Jason L.

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NGSS

This product will support your students' understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)*, as shown in the table below.

Elementary Middle School High School

2-PS1-2

Students can analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.

5-PS1-3

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

5-PS1-4

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.

MS-PS1-2

Students can analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

MS-PS1-6

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to undertake a design project to construct, test, and modify a device that either releases or absorbs thermal energy by chemical process.

ETS1.B

A solution needs to be tested, and then modified on the basis of the test results in order to improve it.

MS-PS1-4

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.

HS-PS1-4

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to develop a model to illustrate that the release or absorption of energy from a chemical reaction system depends upon the changes in total bond energy.

HS-PS1-5

Students can use Instant Snow Powder as evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of the reacting particles on the rate at which the reaction occurs.

HS-PS2-6

Students will observe and communicate scientific information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of a material.

HS-PS1-7

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to construct and revise an explanation for the outcome of a simple chemical reaction based on the outermost electron states of atoms, trends in the periodic table and knowledge of the patterns of chemical properties.

Suggested Science Idea(s)

DCI/HS1.B
HS-PS1-4
HS-PS1-5

Students can use Instant Snow Powder to feel the bonds during the endothermic and exothermic reactions.

2-PS1-2

Students can conduct simple tests using Instant Snow Powder to better understand the rate at which the polymers absorb or evaporate water. Information gathered can be used as evidence to support or refute student ideas about hydrophilic (water loving) materials.

MS-PS1-2

Students can analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.

HS-PS2-6

Students will observe and communicate scientific information about why the substance is able to absorb so much water. Further study of the structure of the hydrophilic polymers will help students to understand that the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of a material.

 

*NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.

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