Where did the snow go?

A lesson on changes in density

Subjects: Math, Science
Grades:K, 1, 2
Grade range: K-2
Time to complete: 45-60 minutes
Subjects/skills addressed: Science, Math
Objective: Students will change the density of powdered sugar by adding a liquid. They will use
the changed sugar to decorate a snowflake cookie.
Materials needed:

2 pounds powdered sugar

Milk (2 TBSP per demonstration)

Prebaked sugar cookies

Colored granulated sugar

Vanilla and butter (optional)

Set of measuring cups and spoons

Spoon and spreading knife

Parchment paper

Attached photo to accompany instructions

Words to know: measure, density, more, less

Instructions:
1. Ask: How do you think snow melts? What happens when it melts?
Explain that when snow melts, the density (how much space it fills) changes. The students will
see how this is done by dissolving powdered sugar.
2. Direct a student to fill a measuring cup with powered sugar, making sure that the sugar is not
packed into the cup. Level the top with the handle of the spoon.
Ask: Is the cup full of sugar? Lets see if we can change that.
3. Direct a student to pour 1 teaspoon of milk into the center of the cup of sugar.
Ask: What is happening to the powdered sugar?

3. Direct another student to add a second spoon of milk. A third, etc. Observe what happens to
the sugar. Use no more than a total of 6 teaspoons.
Ask: Why does it look like there is less sugar in the cup? Where did it go?
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Stir the contents of the cup into a bowl, adding 2 teaspoons of vanilla to flavor.*
6. Create snowflakes that are 1.75 in diameter from the parchment paper.
7. Cover the cookies with the powdered sugar icing.
8. Place the parchment snowflake on top of the cookie and sprinkle generously with colored
sugar, tapping off the extra before removing the snowflake pattern. A clean pin helps remove the
parchment snowflakes from the icing.
Conclusion:
When liquid is added to powdered sugar, the sugar dissolves into the liquid, increasing the
density of the sugar. The amount of air between the particles of sugar is reduced, causing the
sugar to take up less room in the cup. This is similar to how the density of snow is changed when
it melts. The air between the snowflakes is reduced as the snow becomes a liquid.
Snowy fact: If a snowstorm produces a light fluffy snow, then it is possible for 10 inches of snow
to melt into merely 1 inch of water.
*Hint: After completing the demonstration the class can create buttercream icing that may taste
better than the plain powdered sugar and milk mixture.