Insta-Snow Gets Teacher Out of Speeding Ticket
We received the following email from a teacher who attended one of our hands-on science professional development workshops for teachers. Believe it or not, she amazed a police officer with a science experiment using Insta-Snow Powder and got out of a speeding ticket.
As I was driving home from your workshop Friday night, I had a little incident with the wonderful Colorado State Patrol when I forgot to slow down on my way home in Pueblo, Colorado. He asked the usual questions, “Why are you in such a hurry?”, “May I see your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance?”, etc.
When I told him that I was on my way home from a science conference, he said, “Did you learn anything?”
What a great question! I had the perfect answer, “If I can make it snow in June, will you let me out of the ticket?”
His response, “Yeah, right. It is 80 degrees outside!”
I pulled out my bottle of water, some snow and poured it in his hands. Here I am on the side of the road on I-25 doing a demo! I wish that I had a camera to capture the look on his face as the snow erupted in his hands.
He said, “Where can I get this stuff? My son loves science, but I do not know where to get things like this.”
I gave him your web address and phone number and I did not get a ticket. So if you have an influx of state patrol officers requesting Instant Snow, now you know why.
– Michelle B
I bought “Super Snow” from a gift shop in Florida thinking that it was your Insta-Snow. It’s not! It’s actually a gel that you have to stir up to make look like snow. I order a pound of the real thing from your website and look forward to doing your “conservation of mass” activity with my AP Chemistry class. I guess Super Snow is not so super. – Carla
Where can you buy the baby diaper polymer that is mentioned in your post on the knock-offs of Insta-Snow? I want to use it to show the difference between a physical and chemical reaction.
http://www.stevespangler.com/archives/2005/03/13/baby-diaper-goo-the-insta-snow-knock-off/
The diaper polymer is called “Water Gel” and you can find it at the link below. You’re right, it’s more of a gel than a snow.
https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/1448
I love this site. Good work…
I’m thinking of buying a few hundred dollars worth and throwing it all in my neighbours pool, how much will I need for a 10,000 gallon pool? hehehehe!!!!
I was walking through a mall when I saw the insta-snow, I was pulled by it and looked to feel the amazingly soft texture, blown away I was shown a demonstration, and in about 3 seconds the cup I was holdong was overflowing with snow!!! At 92 degress i never thought of it as possible!! It even had a cold feeling to it!
Does anyone know if this stuff wet to the touch? Can it be used on cloth (like a table cloth) without “bleeding? It looks like the coolest idea for winter decorating!
Hi Jeanenne. Instant snow feels wet and cool to the touch. The water in the snow will “bleed” on to the surface that it is placed upon. If you set it on paper, it will leave a wet spot. It won’t stain, unless you set it on something like unfinished wood. Instant Snow will achieve the same results as a wet paper towel or damp sponge.
My school club is thinking of throwing a winter get-together, and I was wondering if this stuff could be thrown around in someone’s grass (like a backyard) and yet easily cleaned up. If so, how? Insta-Snow looks amazing, and I’m really looking forward to purchasing some!
I am thinking of having a snow-themed b-day party for my daughter I wanted to cover an area about 10 f by 20 f. How much would I need? We are in Florida who knows how hot it may be??? Does anyone have any answers/suggestions?
Steve,
Just have to say-love this stuff! I teach 3 and4 year olds at a Catholic school. I have been using the regular snow from outside in my water table. That is, until I happened upon your insta-snow. I make it with the kids, and then we play in it in the water table–I usually make 4 gallons. The kids loveit– and it even feels cold like real snow. Thanks!!
Mr Steve,
I only have one question, is it slippery?Can you make skiing on it?
I would love to go skiing on fake snow!!!! =]*
Such an interesting story. It may really be worthwhile stocking your car up with some of that insta-snow LOL!
How does one get rid of the awful smell once it is combined with water?
Jimmys,
From what ive seen this kind of polymer is being used in indoor snowboard parks all around the world. If you over soak it a bit, then you can even make snowballs out of it!! So as far as I know, yes, you can ski/snowboard on it!!
Hi Annette,
If you are getting a bad smell when you combine the Insta-Snow with water, I think you might have received your snow from one of our knock-off companies. I can say with complete certainty that our Original Insta-Snow is never sticky, clumpy or smelly. You can find the original Instant Snow powder here https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/category/instant-snow. Hope that helps!
Love it it works so good I just love fake snow in Florida!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =}
The insta snow just make me happy to tears! This lovely mix of powder and water felt like something was growing out of my hand. I loved showing it to family and friends they adored it! Espesily when I never get snow where I live! This snow is just wonderful for children of all ages!
My biology students would like to know if we can use insta-snow as an irrigation aid, perhaps in plant pots or window boxes? One of them had seen something like it at a local nursery, but it said that it would degrade into fertilizer. She couldn’t remember the brand name.
I am planning to build a snowboard rail park in my backyard is there any discount for buying in bulk
can you eat the snow, like can i use it for moleculair gastronomie?
greets freddy from
holland (netherlands
(3 star michelin)
How long should it take for insta-snow to evaporate? Will putting it in an over speed up the time? I made about f our gallons of insta-snow with my bible school students several weeks ago and it still hasn’t evaporated. I imagine it’s because I live in Maryland and there’s pretty high humidity.
I would like to know this too. I live in Puerto Rico where it’s always high humidity. Should I wait for it to dry, or is there a way to make it dry? Otherwise, I’ll have to just throw it away and consider it a one time deal.
I want to use this for my outdoor Christmas decorations. I want it to look like a winter wounderland. Will this last for a month and how much should I buy.
Insta Snow! Ok – thats an original way to get out of a ticket!
is insta snow environmentally friendly; can we leave it in the grass and will it ever break down and disappear? My son came home from school with a large container, and it’s really cool, but I am wondering if it needs to be disposed of in any special way.
Diane –
Insta-Snow is definitely environmentally friendly. In fact, it is in the same family of polymers that farmers are using to help hydrate their crops during drought. That being said, it can cause quite a surprise when left in your lawn. Steve covered the yard of a viewer on a 9News segment a few years ago and, although all the snow appeared to be cleaned up, when the spring rains came, their yard “fluffed” back up into a Winter Wonderland! In terms of disposal, there aren’t really any special precautions that need to be taken. You can toss it in the trash can without fearing any harm to the environment. Hope that helps!
Alyssa, Editor
My 3 yr old daughter is part of a Play N Learn group, that meets weekly. This morning the instructor brought this. It was amazing!!! The children didn’t want to play with anything else!! Here in Indiana, we have snow on the ground, but it gets dirty (we call it snirt) and bitter low temps, so playing outdoors is not always an option.
I will be recommending this to all of my friends & other parents, as well as adding it to my children’s holiday/birthday wish lists!
Thanks so much!
Thank goodness that Insta-snow is cheap and better yet, environmentally and student friendly. I have been buying it for my students so we can have a “snow day” right before our holidays for the past 3 years. It is wild watching kids (and adults) playing with “snow” in south Texas where we have only had snow once in the past 100 years. I give away ziplocs of a couple of teaspoons of it knowing it wi be appreciated more than most small gifts I could think up to give away–much less afford to give away. It brings a lot of joy to a lot of people…
PRteacher – you should spread it out as thin as you can on some paper towel and just let it dry.
I read that it is nontoxic. What happens if it gets eaten or in your eyes?
Hi Larisa – Insta-Snow is non-toxic but that doesn’t mean you should eat it or not treat it as a chemical. If it gets in the eyes, flush with water for 15 minutes.
Can insta-snow be dried and reused year after year?
Hi Gilly – Yes, Insta-Snow can be dried out and reused. Just don’t touch it a lot. Dirt and germs transfer from your hands onto the wet snow. It can get dirty and grimy if handled a lot.
CAN INSTA-SNOW BE COLORED WITH ALCOHOL INK AND USED LIKE A PRODUCT CALLED FLOWER SOFT FOR DECORATING CARDS?
I’m not exactly sure. Insta-Snow is a dry powder that becomes moist or hydrated when mixed with water. Without water, it is a fine powder. We have mixed Insta-Snow with Kool-Aid to color it, but that’s not at all the same thing. You can purchase small amounts of Insta-Snow or Grow Snow from retailers like Target and Hobby Lobby. Just make sure it has the Be Amazing logo on it to ensure you are getting the Original Insta-Snow and not a knock-off. By purchasing it this way, you can experiment with mixing it with paints and not be out a lot of money. If you do test it, please let us know what you find out. We are curious!
Will insta- snow ever disappear? I am thinking about putting it on my lawn for Christmas. Will it forever be there? How will I remove it
Hi Carolyn – Insta-Snow will dry out over time and return to its original powder state. To fluff it back up, you will need to re-wet it when it dries. The polymer will eventually break down and disappear but it will take awhile.