Crystal Snowflakes...

Now you can keep your snowflake hanging in a window.

Ages:  This activity is for Big Kid Scientists

Materials:  pipe cleaner, string, water, borax,wide-mouth jar, food color

Procedure:

• You will need boiling water for this activity.  Kid Scientists - make sure you have supervision for boiling water
• While you're waiting for the water to boil, create your snowflake.  Cut a pipe cleaner into 3 pieces. Twist the pieces together at the center to form a six-legged shape.  Make sure the snowflake fits into the jar.
• Tie a piece of string to one leg of the snowflake.
• Fill the jar with boiling water
• Add Borax one tablespoon at a time to the water.  Stir after each tablespoon to dissolve the borax.  Stir as much Borax into the water as possible, stopping when the Borax no longer dissolves. (This is called a Saturated Solution)
• Add food color drops to create your favorite color
• Suspend the pipe-cleaner snowflake in the jar of borax solution.  Roll the string around the pencil so that the snowflake hangs from the pencil laid across the jar.  (The snowflake should not touch the jar sides or bottom)
• Allow the jar to sit undisturbed for several days.
• Once the liquid has dissolved you can take the snowflake out of the jar and carefully hang it up.

The Science Mommy would love to see pictures of your snowflakes!