| We all know what crystals are. Solids with their atoms | | | | activities that I include in my homeschool curriculum are |
| arranged in a definite pattern are called crystals. Sugar, | | | | as easy to perform as this one. |
| salt, diamonds, quarts and alum are all crystals. | | | | Crystals grow when particles in the super saturated |
| Activities such as growing crystals make homeschool | | | | solution collect and adhere together. Other particles join |
| curriculum fun while providing a great learning | | | | in and a crystal is formed. This crystal continues to |
| experience. | | | | grow for some time and then stops growing. Now the |
| A Geode is a crystal that is formed in solidified lava. | | | | crystals need help to grow further. You can do so by |
| When the lava is in liquid form, it traps air bubbles. Over | | | | introducing a rough object such as a stick or a rock |
| time these air bubbles get filled with mineral-rich ground | | | | into the solution. |
| water. The minerals in the ground water begin to form | | | | Alternatively, you can introduce a "seed" into the |
| crystals, thus forming a geode. | | | | solution. A seed in this case is a small single crystal of |
| A geode is mostly rounded and looks dull from the | | | | alum. Once a seed crystal is introduced, the alum |
| outside. If you break a geode open, you will find | | | | particles in the solution cling to it, making it grow. |
| beautiful crystalline patterns on the inside. Your child | | | | Making the Geode |
| would love it if you add this activity to his or her | | | | Make an opening in an eggshell and remove the yoke |
| homeschool curriculum | | | | and the egg white. Remove the inner membrane; |
| Requirements | | | | wash the egg and leave it to dry. Now fill this shell with |
| To make a Geode we need something that acts as a | | | | the super saturated alum solution and leave it in a safe |
| bubble. We will use an eggshell for this purpose. Then | | | | place for the geode to form. Place a seed in it if |
| we need something that will act as mineral-rich ground | | | | required. |
| water. We will use a super saturated solution of alum | | | | Observe the formation of crystals inside the eggshell |
| for this purpose. | | | | daily. By the end of the first day, you will see the |
| Making a Super Saturated Solution | | | | crystals forming. Keep it till you are satisfied with the |
| Fill a heat-resistant glass container up to one third level | | | | amount of crystals grown. Now you may throw out |
| with water. Now add some alum crystals and stir the | | | | the rest of the solution and allow your geode to dry. |
| water till the salt dissolves. Add some more crystals | | | | Once formed, you can gently and carefully remove |
| and continue stirring. If you continue this process, you | | | | the egg shell, leaving behind a translucent crystal |
| will find that after a particular point the alum will stop | | | | geode. |
| dissolving in the water and begin to collect at the | | | | Make sure you add this fun activity to your kid's |
| bottom. This solution is called a saturated solution. | | | | homeschool curriculum. Check out the free |
| Now heat the alum solution slightly and continue stirring. | | | | "Homeschool Parent's Guide to Teaching Science", for |
| You will see that the alum at the bottom now get's | | | | more great science experiments and activities, click |
| dissolved. Continue adding alum until it dissolves no | | | | the link below. |
| more. Now you've got a super saturated solution. Most | | | | |