Borax, Alum or Epsom Salts Snowflake Decorations

Science Experiment: Crystal Snowflakes Made from Pipecleaners

Dec 19, 2008 Theresa Bledsoe

Crystal snowflakes and other ornamentals designs can be made using Borax , Alum or Epsom Salts, pipecleaners, and a little string.

Hands-on activities lead to memorable learning. One of the best things about this experiment is that it combines science and art to create a decoration which can be kept or given as a gift. And for younger children, this activity definitly has the "Wow!" factor and the feel of a real science experiment.

These crystal ornaments are light-weight and inexpensive to make, but the activity does require parental supervision since it involves the use of hot water.

In addition to snowflakes, the pipe cleaners can be shaped to form flowers, hearts, and short names or words, etc. Consider incorporating the activity into a unit on snow, weather, the water cycle or rocks and minerals. If the decorations will be hung in a window and used as a sort of sun catcher, this activity might also be included in a unit exploring color and light.

How to Make a Homemade Crystal Ornament

Parental Supervision is required.

Materials:

• pipe cleaners (formed into the desired shape)
• borax, alum, or epsom salts (all work well)
• very hot water
• scissors
• butter knife, pencil, or popsicle stick
• glass jar big enough for the ornament
• measuring cup or larger glass for mixing the solution
• string
• food coloring, if desired
• magnifying glass for observing crystals closely

Directions:

1. Shape the ornament. To make a snowflake, cut a pipe cleaner into thirds.
2. Twist the sections together to form a six-sided star shape, and trim the arms to make them even.
3. Attach a long piece of string to one arm of the snowflake. Working from arm to arm, twist the string around the end of each arm to form a closed in snowflake shape.
4. Tie off the string when returning to the starting point. Leave several inches of string for suspending the snowflake. Cut off any excess.
5. Pour boiling water into the measuring cup or tempered glass container to be used for mixing the solution. Please use parental supervision.
6. Add one of the following: borax, alum or epsom salts. Add this slowly to the hot water, stirring continually until no more can be dissolved into the water. A little undissolved solution may remain in the bottom. This is okay.
7. Food coloring may be added at this time, if desired.
8. Wrap the long end of the string around the pencil or butter knife several time. Adjust if needed and suspend the ornament in the crystal growing cup.
9. Carefully pour the solution over the suspended decoration. Be sure the ornament is completely covered, and that it does not touch the sides or bottom of the container.
10. Allow crystals to grow overnight. Do not disturb.
11. If the water was completely saturated, the decoration will be covered with sparkly crystals by morning.
12. Hang the ornament to dry.
13. Be sure to carefully wash all utensils used in the experiment .

How the Crystals are Formed

Every crystal had a pattern based on it's unique shape. Salt, for instance, is cube shaped. It is much easier to examine these little boxes under a magnifying glass. Borax, alum, and epsom salts are examples of substances that have a crystaline shape.

Boiling water was used because hot water holds more crystals than cold water. Hot water molecules move farther apart, making more room for the borax, alum, or epsom salts crystals to dissolve. When no more can be dissolved, the water is said to be saturated. As the water cools, the water molecules move closer together leaving less space for the dissolved crystals to remain suspended. This causes crystals to build on one another and on the pipe cleaner.

For variations of this experiment, try using colored pipe cleaners, or lightly painting clear crystals that have formed. For an experiment that takes more time, try dropping a weighted string into saturated sugar water and watch the crystals grow!

The copyright of the article Borax, Alum or Epsom Salts Snowflake Decorations in Homeschooling is owned by Theresa Bledsoe. Permission to republish Borax, Alum or Epsom Salts Snowflake Decorations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Snowflake

Crystal Snowflake