Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am in the midst of doing my science fair project and I am having difficulty preserving snow crystals with the technique I am using. I was hoping for some assistance. I attempted to save the snow by setting the slides outside to cool, then spraying them with polyurethane during the snowfall and catching the flakes on the slide....however, after letting the entire catch chill and bringing the slides back inside to observe, I have nothing but droplets....is there a better way to do this, or am I doing something incorrectly....my science fair is Wednesday and we have had little snow, so I want to be able to catch and preserve in the event of another snowfall between now and then...Thanks for any help!!

Juttmeister:

The quickest way for you to preserve snow flakes is photographically. This can be done quickly with a digital camera.

However, you might try -
1) coating cold glass slides with cold crazy glue, cold Karo syrup and capturing snow flakes
2) placing cold glass slides outside, capture one or two snow flakes and coat the slide and snow flakes with cold crazy glue or Karo syrup. Place a cover slip over the flakes quickly and let the glue or syrup set up.

Matthew W. Mulanax, Ph.D.