Lesson 3: Crystal Sun Catcher
Lesson 3: Crystal Sun Catchers
Category: Science—This lesson includes information about crystallization
Purpose: To learn about soluble solutions and make a crystal sun catcher with crystallized salt.
Background Information: Water is known as the “universal solvent,” which means it can dissolve a lot of different things. Among this long list are things like salt and sugar. By mixing warm water with salt or sugar, the salt/sugar will slowly disappear until they are completely dissolved into the water. In this activity, we use water to dissolve salt, and once we allow that solution to dry, it will form beautiful crystals that you can use as a suncatcher!
Materials:
Epsom Salt
Clear Recycled Plastic Lids
Water
Empty Jar
Bowl or glass measuring cup
Fork
Microwave (optional) - ask a parent for help!
Food coloring (optional)
Tray
String
Exacto Knife/Pin - ask a parent for help!
Directions:
You will be using a ratio of 1:1 water to Epsom Salt for this project. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to an empty glass jar and add 1 cup of water to a microwave safe bowl. Heat the water in the microwave for 45 seconds. Alternatively use very hot tap water and skip the microwave.
Pour the water into the jar with the salt. Do this quickly so that the water is warm. Stir the salt and water for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the salt. If you want colorful crystals, add a few drops of food coloring to your mixture.
Place several plastic lids on a flat-bottomed tray in a sunny location where they can remain undisturbed.
Pour off some of the extra liquid from your jar/crystal garden into the recycled plastic lids. Use just enough to cover the bottom of the lid. DON’T OVERFILL!
Place your lids in a sunny location. Depending on how much liquid has been added it will take a few hours or a day to start crystallizing.
When the liquid has completely evaporated your crystal suncatcher is ready! You will be able to see the super pretty crystal structures from both sides of the lid.
Ask a parent for help and carefully poke a small hole in the edge of the lid and thread a piece of string through the hole. Tie in a knot and hang your suncatcher up!
