Making our own sugar crystals has been a favorite in our home!
We have grown crystals for FUN, school science fair projects, and scouting activities (Cub Scouts & Girl Scouts). Each time is a NEW experience since each crystal is unique, beautiful and interesting! Just like our children!
Here’s what you will need:
- glass jar (we use recycled spaghetti jars to grow BIG crystals)
- thin wooden skewer stick, thick pipe cleaner, or thick string
- 1 Cup water
- 2-4 Cups sugar
- saucepan
- wooden spoon
Here’s what you do:
- Prep stick/string/pipe cleaner by wetting then rolling in table sugar to create “seed crystals” (for crystals to grow on)
- 1 Cup water and 2 cups table sugar in saucepan (low heat makes BETTER crystals)
- Add additional sugar until solution will not absorb any more sugar (solution needs to look and feel like water – not syrup)
- Pour new solution into glass jar(s)
- Place seeded stick/string/pipe cleaner into jar
- Talk about the CHEMISTRY and science of crystal formation.
- Wait up to 1 week and watch crystals grow!!! Wait up to 1 month for crystals to grow BIG.
- Now you can EAT your Rock Candy! -OR- Put your beautiful crystals on display like we do at our house! (if kept dry crystals will keep for months or even years)
If you would like more information about chemical reactions, re-crystalization, saturation and solubility, click here—>http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Chem_p082.shtml?fave=no&isb=cmlkOjEyNTQ4NzQwLHNpZDowLHA6MSxpYTpDaGVt&from=TSW
If you would like to learn more about chemical reactions in general, click here to see this video!!! —> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66kuhJkQCVM
Have FUN learning and growing your own sugar crystals!
xoxo Michelle
PlayDreamFUN 