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Salt Crystal Suncatcher

 

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Subject: 
Science
Art
Type: 
Projects and Builds
Activity Ideas
Grade: 
K-2
3-5
NGSS: 

2-PS1-4. Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot.

What do I need?: 
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 cup Epsom salt
  • Large plastic lid
  • Empty jar
  • Bowl or glass 
  • Measuring cup
  • Fork
  • Tray
  • String
  • Microwave (optional)
What do I do?: 
  1. Pourhot water into a glass jar or bowl (microwave or hot from the tap)
  2. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt andstir together until the salt dissolves
  3. Place plastic lids on a tray in a sunny location where they can remain undisturbed
  4. Pour some of the mixture into the lid without overfilling
  5. Leave in the sun and wait a few hours for them to crystalize!
  6. Grab an adult to help carefully poke a hole towards the edge of the lid and thread a piece of string through for a beautiful hanging art!
What's going on?: 

When the Epsom salt is mixed in the hot water, it doesn’t just disappear. It’s still there just dissolves into the water. As the sun heats the liquid mixture, the water evaporates leaving the salt crystals behind in the plastic lid. The forming of crystals is called crystallization. Some forms of salt are obtained through this very same process. Sea salt is often produced in dry climates such as the Mediterranean

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