Water: The Science of Snowflakes, Because Ice Floats, and More

By Coggin Heeringa-, Interpretive Naturalist, Crossroads at Big Creek, Inc.

The Collins Learning Center at Crossroads will be closed  December 24th and 25th  enabling our staff to spend time with our families. And families will be our focus for the rest of the holiday week. We invite learners of all generations to bond during our science-related activities, all of which all, in some way relate to water and the remarkable ways hydrogen and oxygen form bonds.

While it is not entirely inconceivable that life could exist in another liquid, it is really hard to imagine life as we know it to exist without liquid water. Fortunately, on Earth, water can and does exist in all three states of matter: liquid, solid and gas.  But in each of these forms, water molecules simply do not behave like other substances.

On Friday, December 27 at 2:00 PM the family program will be “Because Ice Floats.” As that title reveals, one (of many, many) peculiar characteristics of water is that it is lighter as a solid than it is as a liquid. Activities will include a short video on hydrogen bonds and demonstrations on states of matter. (Yes, there will be a dry ice demo!) Then participants will experiment with floating ice—in the lab and if weather cooperates, also in Big Creek. The group will discuss why floating ice makes aquatic life possible in this climate.

Starting  at 2:00 PM on December 28, Science Saturday will explore “The Science of Snowflakes” so families can learn why snowflakes almost always are hexagonal. And of course, it’s due to the way the hydrogen atoms bond. These bonds means that every single snowflake at least starts out having six sides. As snowflakes grow, the crystals, often extraordinarily intricate, will always be unique and always having six points. That is unless (and this often happens) ,the snowflakes clump together or get broken during their turbulent fall to the ground.  Videos and (edible) demonstrations will help families understand the wonder of snow.

Our Monday  program will feature Subnivean Creature and will focus on the wildlife that live beneath the snow at Crossroads in the winter. 

And speaking of snow, once we have enough snow to create a good base, Crossroads will begin grooming selected trails and lending skis, boots, poles, snowshoes, and kicksleds to Door County residents and visitors, absolutely free of charge.

And oh, even though the Learning Center will be closed on New Year’s Eve, it is our tradition to hike to The Cove Estuary (which may or may not have ice floating on it) to see the final sunset of the year (which may or may not be visible depending on the density of water molecules forming bonds in the sky.) “Wiper rules apply” (if you need to use your wipers to drive safely, the hike is canceled.) And we will be back in time for participants to go on to other celebrations. 

Water is peculiar. It also is precious. May your new year be filled with joy and clean water—preferably arriving during the desirable season in a desirable state of matter… with adequate amounts needed to grow crops and support nature, but not so extreme or  sudden that it causes flooding.

Watch the ticker  at the top of the Crossroads websites to learn if weather conditions are adequate for scheduled events, for Ski-For-Free and for trail use.