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The Heikoff Giant Dome Theater is temporarily closed through the end of October 2023 as we enhance our accommodations for an even more extraordinary experience at the Fleet Science Center.
Salt Crystal Sun-catcher
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?
- Pour hot water into a glass jar or bowl (microwave or hot from the tap)
- Add 1 cup of Epsom salt and stir together until the salt dissolves
- Place plastic lids on a tray in a sunny location where they can remain undisturbed
- Pour some of the mixture into the lid without overfilling
- Leave in the sun and wait a few hours for them to crystalize!
- 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, it 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.
Ages
K
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Type
Activities
Projects & Builds
Subject
Science
Art
More Activities & Resources:
While water can dissolve the black inks, we need paper to more clearly separate the different colored inks
Activities, Demonstrations
