Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to create your own crystals using simple household materials and understand the basic principles behind crystal formation.

Materials and Prep

• Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
• Boiling water
• Glass jar or container
• Pencil or popsicle stick
• Food coloring (optional)
• Protective goggles and gloves (recommended for safety)

Make sure to read and understand the instructions before starting the activities. Ensure a safe working environment by wearing protective goggles and gloves if available.

Activities

1. Prepare the saturated solution by dissolving Epsom salt in boiling water. Stir until no more salt can dissolve.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to the solution (optional) for colorful crystals.
3. Cut a piece of string or fishing line long enough to hang inside the glass jar, and tie it to a pencil or popsicle stick.
4. Dip the string into the solution, ensuring it is fully submerged, and then hang it inside the jar, making sure the pencil or stick rests on the rim of the jar, allowing the string to hang freely.
5. Place the jar in a location where it won't be disturbed, and let it sit undisturbed for several days. Observe the crystal growth over time.

Eleventh Grade Talking Points

• "Crystals are solid materials made up of repeating patterns of atoms or molecules."
• "The process of crystal formation begins with a supersaturated solution, where the solvent (water) contains more solute (Epsom salt) than it can normally dissolve."
• "When the solution cools down, the solute particles come together and form crystal structures, which continue to grow over time."
• "The shape of a crystal depends on the arrangement of its atoms or molecules, as well as external factors such as temperature and impurities."
• "Crystals have unique properties such as geometric shapes, cleavage, and transparency."
• "Crystals have various applications in industries such as electronics, jewelry, and medicine."