Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact
On view January 21–May 7, 2023
Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact is a hands-on science exhibition about the nature and wonder of snow and the impact of climate change on our snowy planet. The exhibition follow snow’s journey from tiny crystals to vast winter landscapes to abundant spring snowmelt. Visitors explore how snow shapes and sustains life on Earth, snow’s vital roles in sustaining our water supply and cooling our planet, and the cultural and personal value of snow. Snow was developed and produced by OMSI as part of a collaborative project led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks and funded by the National Science Foundation.
"Falling Snow" - In this immersive, interactive space visitors experience a series of snowstorms.
"Snow Play" - Visitors are invited to build snow people by stacking and decorating “snowballs” of different sizes.
"Working Together for a Better World" - Visitors are invited to cut out a snowflake and write a response to a posted prompt.
"Keeping Earth Cool" - Visitors touch each hemisphere to detect and compare their temperature difference.
"Working Together for a Better World" - Visitors are invited to cut out a snowflake and write a response to a posted prompt.
"Snow & Arctic Life" - Visitors watch short videos to learn about life in the snowy Arctic community of Kotzebue.
"Making Sense of Snow Crystals" - Visitors solve a puzzle by matching snow crystals to descriptions of how they formed.
Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The exhibit was developed in collaboration with University of Alaska Fairbanks and made possible by a National Science Foundation grant.
Activities & Special Programming
After you’ve visited the exhibit, you can
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explore the special properties of water at hands-on gallery cart in Horizon Hall
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see crystals form in Collections Cove, and explore their shapes in a display of models in the Touch and See Lab
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learn about the animal tracks you can see in the snow in the Touch and See Lab, and find some yourself on our Learning Landscape!
Related Programs
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Spotlight Science: Climate Solutions
January 28, 2022Connect with climate researchers and extension educators, check-out demonstrations about forest resilience and winter weather observation, explore the Snow exhibition, and learn how you can contribute to climate solutions.
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A Call to Climate Action: Book launch and talk with UMN climate scientist Dr. Heidi Roop
The Climate Action HandbookJoin us for an author event with Dr. Heidi Roop, Director of the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership and Assistant Professor of Climate Science and Extension Specialist, University of Minnesota, and the launch of her new book The Climate Action Handbook.