Rock Candy: Take 1

The kids were watching Cyberchase on PBS kids. At the end of the show they show what they call Cyberchase for real. This segment showed how to make rock candy and sugar crystals. The kids decided to do it on their own. They needed some help but it was their idea to do the experiment. Well today we got to see if any crystals grew.  It takes about 7 days for crystals to grow.  Garrett has been so excited.  All week last week he kept saying, "I can't wait until Sunday to see the crystals."

Here is the solution of sugar, boiled water, and blue food coloring.

Here are two nice crystals.

The kids are excited about the crystals.

Some of the crystals just formed at the bottom of the jar and not on the string.

Best part of these crystals is that you can eat them.

So today we are going to try the experiment again with a few modifications to try and get better and bigger crystals.

Here is the recipe

• 1 cups water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2-1 tsp flavoring extract or oil (optional)
• food coloring (optional)
• glass jar
• String/thread
• Pencil 

Boil the water then add the sugar and food coloring.  Tie a string to the pencil.    Pour the water solution into a jar.  Place the pencil and string on the with the string in the water solution.   Wrap lightly with plastic wrap. Put in a place where it won't be disturbed for 7 days.  Then carefully pull the thread our of the water and see your beautiful crystals.

After doing some research here are some changes we are going to try:
1.  Soak the thread in sugar water  before
2.  Dissolve the sugar in the boiling water
3.  Add a small weight to the bottom of the string like a paper clip to keep the string close to the bottom of the jar.

We will see what happens next time.