(Click on image to enlarge: Source: Snowcrystals.com & Livescience.com)

“Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind.” Wilson Bentley

Wilson Bentley (1865-1931) was a Vermont farmer in the 1800s who decided to use simple photographic equipment and the natural light of the overcast sky to photograph over 5,000 snowflakes.

Even in colder climates, there is a sense of magic when the first snowfall falls. Now snowflakes can even be created in a laboratory (click here), as seen in this snowflake growing time-lapse movie of a growing snow crystal.

…and who can forget the exciting discoveries made when children learn to cut out a snowflake for the first time? Now you can even create snowflakes online.

A search for snowflakes in photo databases brings up all kinds of delightful results.

Here Comes Suzy Snowflake is a charming 1950s song (and movie) that reminds us of how delicate and beautiful a snowflake really is.

Image source

Image: 1st grade work sheets

In 1879, in Victorian England, a seven year old student was expected to complete the following test:

6,341 + 1,098 +3587 +209 + 4716 =

5000 – 3801 =

Add together 7/9, 12/27, 4/5, 12, 9/17, 18 6/7 and divide the answer by 2/7 of 9/11 of 20

How many minutes are there in 17/241 of a year? (365 1/4 days = 1 year)

120 years later seven year olds are asked:

6 + 2 =

7 – 3 =

There are 39 cheese sandwiches. Each costs 45p. Use your calculator to work out the cost of 39 cheese sandwiches. What is the number in your calculator display. Write it down. Write your answer in pounds.

Since 1879, some educators in England feel that standards expected of students are five years have fallen behind by five years. While some educators criticize the old curriculum suggesting that Victorian children did not understand their work. Other critics say that Victorian students left school knowing how to estimate volume, weight and volume compared to many children today who cannot complete the say tasks.

It is one thing to have had a chance to go into the sciences and like it or lump it. It is quite another to have gone down the path of no return and never have a shot at a career in the sciences – or any career that requires a science background. While one could always go back to school and start from scratch, for most people this option is somewhat of a non-option. Due to scheduling requirements, pre-requisites and the fact that I attended three high schools, I never had the chance to take a chemistry or physics class. Regardless of whether one ultimately chooses a career in the sciences, or not, it is always preferable to have the exposure first before doors start to shut.

Girlsgotech.org is a Girl Scouts sponsored site that looks at the issue of girls going into the sciences.

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The following is an excerpt from their Website:

Today, more than 60% of all jobs require some form of technology skills. According to the National Science Foundation, women currently represent 46% of the total workforce, but only 25% of the technology workforce and 10% of the nation’s top technology jobs.Despite their success in diverse areas, studies show that many women choose traditionally “female” occupations and research suggests that these decisions take root while girls are in elementary school. Studies show that by age 12, most girls lose interest in these subjects and therefore their chance at many future jobs.The Girls Go Tech campaign aims to encourage girls to develop an early interest in math, science, and technology and, ultimately, maintain that interest to help ensure a more diverse, dynamic and productive workforce.