.png?width=1640&height=924&name=310%20Spring%20Blog%20Image%20(1).png)
The groundhog may have been right, but Spring is coming! Thursday, March 20 marks the first official day of spring. For teachers, this means the end of the school year is just in sight. However, the rise in outside temperatures can sometimes correlate with a rise in student energy levels and a dip in classroom productivity. Help direct and channel that spring energy into something fun and educational with a spring science experiment: Growing Crystal Flowers.
The perfect mix of science and creativity, growing crystal flowers keeps kids engaged while teaching important chemistry concepts. This dazzling, hands-on project turns simple household ingredients into stunning crystal-covered flowers, making it a fantastic activity for home or the classroom.
Why Crystal Flowers?
With so much excitement buzzing in the air, keeping students focused can be a challenge. Fortunately, this project is an engaging way to blend science and art into hands-on learning. This project is also a fantastic way to introduce students to simple concepts of basic chemistry and geology. In addition, it encourages curiosity, observation, and experimentation, which are fundamental skills in scientific learning.
How to Grow Crystal Flowers:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
What you'll need:
-
- Pipe cleaners (for flower shapes)
- Borax (a household cleaner that aids crystallization)
- Boiling water
- Jars or cups
- String and pencils (to suspend flowers)
- Food coloring (optional for vibrant crystals)
Step 2: Shape the Flowers
Twist pipe cleaners into fun flower shapes. Experiment with different colors and styles for unique designs. Attach a string to each flower and tie it to a pencil so it hangs freely inside the jar.
Step 3: Prepare the Solution
Bring water to a boil and carefully pour it into the jar. Slowly add borax, stirring until no more dissolves (about 3 tablespoons per cup of water). Add food coloring for extra vibrancy.
Step 4: Let the Crystals Form
Submerge your pipe cleaner flowers in the solution, ensuring they don’t touch the sides or bottom and are only held by the string. Let them sit undisturbed overnight. As the solution cools and evaporates, beautiful crystals will begin to form.
Step 5: Observe and Remove the Flowers
The next day, check out the sparkling transformation! Carefully remove the flowers and set them out to dry.
Step 6: Discuss and Analyze the Results
Compare flowers to see how different variables affected growth. Talk about factors like solution temperature, borax concentration, and how time influences crystal formation.
How Does it Work?
Crystals are naturally occurring structures that form when a solution evaporates, leaving behind solid particles that stack together in a repeating pattern. This experiment lets you witness that process firsthand using borax, water, and pipe cleaners to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind crystal flowers.
Since the materials are easy to find and the steps are simple, this project is perfect for students of multiple ages and learning levels. As the crystals grow, students get to see chemistry up close, learning about concepts like saturation, evaporation, and supersaturation in a fun and memorable way.
Before You Go…
Spring is also the perfect time to explore the wonders of our planet with Mobile Ed’s Earth Dome assembly! Just as growing crystal flowers teaches students about natural processes like mineral formation, this unique experience brings geology, geography, and Earth sciences to life. By combining hands-on projects like crystal flowers with immersive learning experiences like the Earth Dome, students can develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the science behind it.
Follow our blog for more exciting science projects for your classroom. To bring engaging, memorable educational assemblies like the Earth Dome to your school, contact Mobile Ed today!
Project inspired by: Little Bins for Little Hands and Go Science Girls
