| In this elementary science fair project we are going to | | | | elementary science fair project every day to use in |
| look at crystals and we are going to try and grow | | | | your display. Remember a good display is almost as |
| crystals. In nature we find crystals in all shapes and | | | | important as the experiment! |
| sizes. We get ones that are considered valuable, like | | | | 10. Take note that more than one thing happens at a |
| diamonds, and others that are not considered so | | | | time with this experiment. What are the two things? |
| valuable. All crystals have their own quality and are | | | | 11. Why is it happening? |
| beautiful. Crystals are easy to grow and are therefore | | | | If you did this elementary science fair project right, the |
| a very suitable elementary science fair project. | | | | gelatin in the water will cause the water to set. (Think |
| The definition of a crystal according to the Oxford | | | | jello!) The other thing that happens is that after a few |
| Dictionary: | | | | days clear crystals form inside the gel and it appears |
| A piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a | | | | to be suspended throughout the gel. Remember to |
| natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically | | | | take photos every day to show how the crystals |
| arranged plane faces. Chemistry: any solid consisting | | | | grow bigger and bigger every day. You can also draw |
| of a symmetrical, ordered, three-dimensional | | | | charts to show how the crystals are formed |
| aggregation of atoms or molecules. A clear | | | | throughout the gel. |
| transparent mineral, especially quartz. | | | | Now you also have to be able to explain why it |
| For our elementary science fair project we are going | | | | happens: |
| to grow crystals in a gelatin solution. Because heat is | | | | As you heat the water, more of your solute (that what |
| going to be used, this science experiment should be | | | | is dissolved in the water) will dissolve in the water |
| done under adult supervision. | | | | (called your solvent) as would have when the water is |
| What you will need for this experiment: | | | | cold. Now when the water starts to cool there is more |
| - A 1-pint glass jar | | | | sugar dissolved in the water than would normally have |
| - A ¼ cup of table sugar | | | | been dissolved in it. Now we get what is called a |
| - A ½ Cup of distilled water | | | | supersaturated solution. |
| - 0.25 ounce of unflavored gelatin | | | | Now, as the water evaporates your solution becomes |
| - A small saucepan | | | | even more supersaturated and it becomes unstable, |
| - Spoon | | | | now any disturbance will cause the microscopic |
| The method for this elementary science fair project: | | | | molecules of the solute to stick together and form |
| | | | crystals. At first the crystals are too small to be seen |
| 1. First you have to pour the water into your saucepan. | | | | but, as they grow they become bigger and visible as |
| 2. Now you sprinkle the gelatin over the water and | | | | they form clumps throughout the gel. The reason for |
| allow it to soak for a few minutes. | | | | the gel in your elementary science fair project is to |
| 3. Place the saucepan on the stove and heat the | | | | keep the crystals suspended and thus ensuring that |
| water while you are stirring to dissolve the gelatin | | | | many crystals form. |
| completely in the water. | | | | For an even better elementary science fair project |
| 4. Continue stirring while you add the sugar. | | | | you can do more than one experiment. Repeat the |
| 5. Continue until the sugar is completely dissolved in the | | | | above but change some of the conditions. See what |
| water. | | | | happens of the solution cools down slower by maybe |
| 6. After the solution (what is a solution?) has cooled | | | | placing your jar in a big thermos flask. You can also |
| down for about 5 minutes you have to pour it carefully | | | | use a bottle with a narrow mouth instead of the jar |
| into your jar. | | | | and see if the slower evaporation of the water makes |
| 7. Now you have to leave the jar undisturbed for at | | | | a difference. You can even make a solution with |
| least two weeks. | | | | different kinds of sugar such as sucrose glucose and |
| 8. Make daily observations and write them down | | | | fructose and see what happens then. The possibilities |
| carefully. | | | | are endless and this elementary science fair project |
| 9. It might even be a good idea to take photos of your | | | | can be as simple or as involved as you would like. |