Designing Snowfall for Stage Performances
In the Iowa State University 4-H Youth Development Nutcracker + STEM performance, snow magically falls as dancers move gracefully across the stage. While it may appear delicate and effortless to the audience, it is the result of design, planning, and engineering on behalf of the stage crew.
To achieve a successful solution, stage crew had to take several criteria into account including, which material would look the most realistic when falling, how to ensure dancers remain safe during the performance while the snow falls, the cost of the materials and the ease of clean up after the performance.
The successful solution shown in this performance is a snow material made of recycled and bleached plastic grocery bags which fall from a “snow sling” The sling is moved up and down through the backstage fly system which causes the snow to fall through the holes.
Iowa Core Standard
Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions
Driving Question
- What must be considered to successfully design a mechanism for simulating snowfall for a stage performance?
Probing Questions
- How was the snowfall created for the scene?
- What types of parts did the machine have?
- How could you design a snow machine? What considerations would you have to take into account?
Classroom Suggestions
Students could:
- Brainstorm a list of constraints (ie cost, safety, appearance, etc) that must be considered for designing a similar snow machine.
- Consider how they would prioritize those constraints. Complete the Iowa State University 4-H Nutcracker + STEM “Make it Snow” Engineering challenge activity to design a manual machine that can safely and consistently release small white particles to simulate snow.
- Attend a local performance or a recording of a performance which uses similar technology or methods for achieving a special effect.
Resources
- Iowa State University 4-H Nutcracker + STEM “Make it Snow” Engineering Challenge: In the Nutcracker Ballet, snow magically falls as dancers move gracefully across the stage. In this challenge, youth will act as theater engineers to design and construct a machine that can “make it snow” on stage.
- PBS LearningMedia | Drama Arts Toolkit: Videos in the Drama Arts Toolkit collection include the history and elements of theater as well as a behind-the-scenes look at theater production from the planning stages to the final performance.
- PBS LearningMedia | KQED: Engineering For Good: In this NGSS-aligned unit, students use the engineering design process to define a problem, brainstorm solutions, develop prototypes and iterate on their designs. The project culminates with students producing videos about their solutions to share with the community.
Contributors
Media produced by Iowa PBS in partnership with Iowa 4-H Youth Development and Stephens Auditorium.
Funding for Iowa Science Phenomena Provided By
