Challenge 014 · Ages 8–16
Crystal Growing
Grow salt or sugar crystals.
Recommended Guided Learning Time: 2 hours
Learners may require additional or fewer hours depending on age, prior experience, pace and the level of development they choose to take their project to.
The recommended guided learning time excludes passive observation, growing or waiting periods when active educator support is not required.
Primary STEAM area
Science
The Challenge
What will your learner investigate?
Can you grow crystals and discover which conditions influence their size and shape?
Learning outcomes
- Explain crystallisation from a solution.
- Prepare and monitor a crystal-growing investigation.
- Measure growth and evaluate factors that affect crystal formation.
Connected learning
Science: solutions and states of matter; Mathematics: measurement and data; Art: geometric forms; English: scientific diary.
Dream Areas
Prepare for this Challenge
What you'll need
Here's what may be useful for completing this activity. Requirements may vary depending on the learner, activity format and equipment available.
Materials & consumables
- Salt or sugar
- warm water
- string
- wooden sticks
- clean jars.
Equipment, tools & software
- Measuring jug
- spoons
- magnifier
- thermometer (optional).
Safety & preparation
- Adults handle hot water and glass
- label as non-food experiment.
These preparation notes support planning and do not replace a project-specific risk assessment or appropriate adult supervision.