Snow camp for high school students: Field and laboratory studies of snow crystals

Three-day Snow Camps have been established in Mt. Asahidake and Hokkaido University of Education in the winders of 2003, 2004 and 2005; for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology's super-science high school project. The objectives of Snow Camp are to study the fundamentals of cloud-microphysics and the methodology of field science, and to experience life in a cold climate.

Cloud Microphysics is the science of cloud rain-droplets, and the growth processes of snow crystals and hail. Ice-crystal formation is dominant for rain creation at middle latitudes, even in summer; which means we can see snow crystals within a cloud just 10 km above the earth's surface where the temperature is below -10C. Having a presence in a cloud is problematic; unless one is in the mountains. We plan to visit Mt. Asahidake in Hokkaido during the school's winter vacation, where the mean earth-surface temperature for January is below -10C. Our snow camp's slogan is 'See the Inside of Clouds In Yokohama'.

'Snow' is a familiar theme for students in Yokohama; where field work with snow is not common. Activities of Snow Camp include: making an Igloo; observing fallen snow-flakes with a magnifying glass; photographing a snow crystal by microscope within an Igloo; studying snowfall's density, temperature and hardness; etc. We can observe snow-crystal growth within a Cold Room's controlled temperature and humidity; at the Hokkaido University of Education. Students learn Scientific Methodologies from these experiences.

Students' test scores improved from 55% to 70% correct after their snow-camp experiences. Questionnaires were given to determine their subjective evaluations. The result indicate that most students deemed Snow Camp to be "interesting" and "significant"; due to receiving a science education as well as being entertained.

By the end of this Snow Camp, students should be able to: 1) identify snow crystals and soft hail; 2) recall the approximate density of snowfall; 3) understand how rain develops via observation; 4) explain the fundamentals of micro-cloud physics; 5) describe the rain-making process at middle latitudes; 6) carry out the field work; 7) show familiarity with life and wisdoms in snow country; and 8) appreciate the nature of earth.