Students in grades 5-8 create shimmering snowflakes using a simple chemical process. They supersaturate hot water with borax, then suspend a pipe cleaner shape in the liquid, allowing the crystals to form overnight.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, Grades K-5 | 3 Comments »

Tags: Chemistry, Crafts, Crystal study, grades 5-8

This lesson uses candy as a medium to illustrate the creation of glass, engaging students in three separate experiments as they predict, observe, and record the outcome of varying controls. The lesson is drawn from the curriculum “Contrasts: A Glass Primer,” developed by the Museum of Glass in Takoma, Washington, which aims to help students comprehend the medium of glass, while emphasizing oppositions in its creation, use, and aesthetics.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades K-5 | 1 Comment »

Tags: Chemical Engineering, Crystal study, Glass engineering, Manufacturing Engineering

This activity from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory involves students, grades 6-12, in the formation of crystals on glass slides. In conducting their experiment, students learn about basic principles that guide the work of materials engineers and scientists.

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Filed under: Class Activities, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12 | 1 Comment »

Tags: Chemical Engineering, Crystal study, Materials Engineering