Crystals provide a basis for many fun science fair projects.
The growth of crystals has been a source of fascination to adults and children for thousands of years. Crystals are interesting, beautiful formations that come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The growth and development of crystals comprise a science topic that lends itself to many project ideas. Not only can you make your own crystals but you can also conduct experiments on how various conditions affect their growth and development.
Rock Candy
Making rock candy is a fun, edible science fair project. Start by heating two cups of water in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add four cups of sugar in small amounts, stirring continuously until it is all dissolved and becomes a clear syrup. Add food coloring to the syrup if desired and pour the syrup into a clean, empty glass jar. Next, tie a piece of string to the middle of a pencil or stick that is long enough to sit across the opening of the jar without falling in. Tie the opposite end of the string to a Popsicle stick and lay the pencil across the mouth of the jar so that the Popsicle stick is hanging in the syrup. Allow the jar to sit at room temperature undisturbed. Check the progress of your experiment daily and, after roughly seven days, your rock candy crystal will have formed. Experiment with variables such as environment; compare the growth of rock candy in the cold, such as in the fridge as opposed to room temperature.
Crystal Garden
Grow your own crystal garden for your school's science fair. Start by arranging several dry, clean sponges in the bottom of a cake pan or aluminum pie plate, cutting them if necessary. Mix 1/4 cup of table salt, 1/4 cup of water, two tablespoons of ammonia and 1/4 cup of laundry bluing together in a bowl and pour it evenly over the sponges. Finish the experiment by sprinkling drops of food coloring, such as green and blue, over the sponges. Allow your crystal garden to sit undisturbed and watch as it grows. Supplement this science fair project by recording and analyzing the growth process or examining pieces of the crystals under a microscope.
Temperature
Another interesting science fair project is examining how water temperature impacts the growth of crystals. Conduct your experiment using three different temperatures, hot, room temperature and cold. Begin growing the crystals in one container using hot water, and then keep it warm with a heating pad or similar device. In another container, use room-temperature water and keep it on the counter or the desk in your room. Begin growing crystals in another container using cold water and retain that temperature by placing it in the refrigerator. Keep notes on how fast the crystals are growing and anything else that is of interest. Consider conducting this experiment using different materials such as salt, sugar and potash alum.
Stalagmites and Stalactites
Create your own stalagmites and stalactites by hanging a weighted strip of cotton, or wool string, between two jars of water mixed with sodium carbonate or magnesium sulfate. The jars should be 3/4 full with as much of the chemical added as can be dissolved in the water. The strip will begin to drip and, after being left undisturbed for approximately a week, stalagmite and stalactite crystals will begin to form. This experiment is great for demonstrating how crystals form in caves, because the salt water evaporating from the strip mimics the natural process.
Tags: rock candy, room temperature, science fair, science fair project, another container, Begin growing, Begin growing crystals
