But first….
We are going to some really cool science where we bend a metal spoon using vinegar, black food coloring, a toothpick, and ginger ale. Just kidding, April fools! That would be cool though 🙂
Now that that’s out of the way… today we will be learning about crystals. You will see that there are all sorts of crystals. Crystals that form in the earth, crystals that fall from the sky, and even crystals we eat! At the end, you’ll get to grow your own crystals!
Resources for Grade K-2
Where does sugar come from?
How a snow flake is formed by Wild Kratts
Field Trip to Wegner Crystal Mines
Resources for Grades 3-5
Brain Pop’s Facts about Crystals Click to go to the video. **Username: shelterrock. Password: brainpop**
Crystal Facts for Kids by Kiddle  Click to go to the site.
How do snow flakes form?
Cave of Crystals
Experiment: Growing your own crystals
As you learned, crystals come in all shapes and sizes, and some we even eat! Today you will be using sugar to grow your own crystals: rock candy! In the video, it using a microwave to heat the water. I have found that it’s easiest to just heat the water on the stove. Once it is boiling, add the sugar until it is saturated. (That means until there is so much sugar that it can’t really dissolve any more). If you want to add some flavoring to your rock candy, you can add a packet of Kool Aid mix. This is an experiment that you will need to let sit for a while– almost a week! Each day you can check on the progress and see how many crystals grow. For today’s experiment you are going to watch a video by Sick Science. I promise that I will be back with you tomorrow 🙂
Materials:Â Sugar, boiling water, mason jar or other similar glass jar/container, a pencil, string