Colossal Crystal Contest
Internet Project Plan

Project Title:

Colossal Crystal Contest

 

Project’s Educational Purpose:

  1. To develop the ability to use the scientific process of forming a hypothesis, writing a procedure, collecting data, and drawing conclusions.
  2. To be able to identify variables when conducting a scientific experiment.
  3. To enable students to design experiments to test the variables that effect the growing of crystals.
  4. To learn the simple chemistry of crystals.
  5. To teach measurement using milliliters, millimeters, and tablespoons.

 

Project’s Sponsors:

Susan Nowak nowaksm@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Gale Hendrychowski hendryga@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Rachelle Folger folgerrl@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us

U.S. Grant School

2920 W. Grant St.

Milwaukee, WI 53215

414-645-2664

 
Curricular Areas: Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Art

Grade Level: 3rd – 6th grade

Number of Collaborators: 50

Summary of the Project’s Plan:

Students will grow a crystal over a two-week period of time using a measured amount of water, salt or sugar, string, a paper clip or weight, and a Popsicle stick. During this time the students will observe and record the growth of the crystals in their science journals noting any variables that make a difference in the growth of the crystal. At the end of the two weeks the crystals will be measured in millimeters. There will be two categories of crystals, those that grow vertical along the string and those that grow horizontal. The largest crystal in each category will be the winner. Crystals submitted for judging must be accompanied by the materials and recipe used to create the crystal.

Directions to join:

Send an e-mail to Susan Nowak nowaksm@mail.milwaukee.k12.wi.us and include the following information or just sign up on the form below.

Name:

E-Mail:

School:

Grade:

Address: 

City: State: Country:

A brief description of your school and location.

Click here to send us your information: 

 

Project Timeline:

Registration March 2 – 15, 1998

Grow Crystals March 16 – 30, 1998

Send results by April 6, 1998

Winners announced the week April 20, 1998.
 

Specifics of Project:

MATERIALS

Water Tubs for team material

Any type of salt or alum Tape or material for labeling

Sugar container

Measuring spoon Paper clip or weight

Scissors Graduated cylinder

Popsicle stick
 

PROCEDURE

  1. Develop the crystal experiment as part of a unit on Rocks and Minerals or in a unit on Chemistry. It can also be a part of any curriculum unit that connects with crystals.
  2. Gather the material, place the paper clip or weight, scissors, graduated cylinder, container, string, Popsicle stick in tubs. You will need as many tubs as there are teams of students. Place the salt, sugar, tablespoons, water, on a table where all the groups have access.
  3. Discuss a basic recipe for forming crystals. An example of a recipe would be as follows:

    150 ml of cold water in a glass container

    4 TBL of salt or sugar in water. Stir.

    Cut one length of string and tie around a paper clip for the bottom and a Popsicle stick that sits on the top of the container and holds the string as it dangles in the water.

    Label containers as to amount of water, salt or sugar, and date.

  4. Discuss variables that could affect how well the crystals grow. Examples are as follows:
  1. Divide the class into teams and have each group pick one or more variables to change to see if the change increases the size of the crystals.
  2. Teams write a procedure for making the crystal detailing the exact recipe they will follow. The team members gather the materials and follow the written procedure for making the crystal.
  3. Place labeled containers on a shelf.
  4. Use a science journal to observe and record the following data: Date, Measurement of Crystal in mm, and Other Observations.
  5. Measure the crystals using millimeters. This can be done as often as teacher deems necessary and recorded in the journal.
  6. At the end of two weeks measure in millimeters vertical crystals along string from top to bottom including weight or clip, measure horizontal crystals from one end to the other. Record data in science journal
  7. Observe the crystals of the other groups noting the variables used by the other groups and drawing conclusions about the growth of the crystals.
  8. Submit your colossal crystal in each category and the exact materials and recipe used to create the crystal along with the names of participants, teacher, school and address at the end of the two-week period.
  9. Prizes for the Colossal Crystal will be awarded in two categories, longest and widest. Winners will be announced the week of April 20, 1998.
  10. Look for the results of all submitted entries and winners at this web site http://www.csd.uwm.edu/~caberg/nowak.html after April 20, 1998.
 

Colossal Crystal Submission Guidelines

Submit contest entry with the following information:

Teacher: 

E-Mail:

School:

Grade:

Address:

City:

State: 

Country:

Participants:

Size of longest crystal in mm:

Size of widest crystal in mm:

Materials and exact recipe used to create crystal:

If you have a picture of the crystal attach it to your e-mail.

 
Click here to send us your information: 

May the best "Crystal Creator" win!