Making Crystals

by Tasha Weeks

This can be taught at different grade levels, diving deeper when possible. Just delete what you don’t need.
Taught in the classroom, groups of 2 - 4. Groups of 2 would allow for each student to bring home their own crystal, group of 4 you could do two test jars for each temperature.
Takes two class periods, approximately 1.5 to 2 hours
Cut cost and recycle: ask each family to donate a jar
2nd grade could just make one crystal in hot water instead of comparing water temperatures
5th, 6th and 8th grade should make it with two water temperatures and compare
Electric Kettles are helpful
3 teaspoons of borax per 1 cup of water

Materials:
Materials for Each Group
2 Jars: 1 Boiling hot water, 1 Ice cold water
Borax
One cup measurement
One teaspoon measurement
One bowl full of ice
Pipe cleaners - color or metallic
String to hang the pipe cleaner, long enough to tape to each side of the cup, see pics
Tape - tape the string to the sides of jar to hold pipe cleaner in the middle of the jar
Ruler to measure the length and width of the crystal
Permanent marker to label the jars
Making Crystals Worksheet (optional - make a copy and change it to fit your needs)