As the Queen of Science, Lizzy loved doing the “fake snow” experiment with students. It is a great way to learn what osmosis is: the process that causes a liquid (especially water) to pass through the wall of a living cell.
Fake snow is real.
There is a second definition of osmosis, the one that describes fake learning: an ability to learn and understand things gradually without much effort. I use the word fake, because, in my experience as an educator, there is no such thing as effortless learning. Learning requires effort. You can’t just sleep on a text book and wake up in the morning with all of the knowledge absorbed in your head.
Try This Experiment
Fake snow, on the other hand, is real. Teach it to your children and grandchildren. They will love learning hands-on about osmosis.
Fake snow or sodium polyacrylate (NaPA) powder can hold up to 500 times its weight in water. It’s amazing how much it can hold. It is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and safe. I did a quick Internet search and found enough to make three gallons for $11.
When sodium polyacrylate is exposed to water, there is more water outside the polymer than inside, so the water moves inside through osmosis.
Try it by putting a small amount of water in a dish and sprinkled some fake snow powder on top. In this physical reaction, the powder absorbs the water like a sponge.
Next, try erupting snow, by placing a teaspoon of fake snow into the cupped hands of your kid(s). Then, add two ounces of water and watch it erupt.
You can even demonstrate reverse osmosis by adding salt. Or, add food coloring to the water beforehand just for fun.
Practical Purposes
There are some practical purposes for sodium polyacrylate. It can be added to soil to help with water retention and it makes a great floral gel to keep flowers watered.
Yes, science can be fun! Perhaps, more importantly, this lesson teaches that learning does not come effortlessly. . . for anyone. You have to work at it. As a young man, Daniel of the Bible found himself in a difficult situation. Yet, he devoted himself to learning and keeping himself pure. His efforts were rewarded, as the king recognized the excellence within him.
Fake snow answers the question what is osmosis. However, you can also use osmosis to teach the importance of effort.
“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and officials because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”
Daniel 6:3, MEV
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Coffee Creamer Science.