Crystal Snowflakes...

I posted this activity a while ago without pictures.  Now I have the step-by-step to keep your snowflake hanging in a window.

Ages:  This activity is for Big Kid Scientists.  As you read it, this one sounds more difficult but my 11 year old Kid Scientist did it on his own, I just supervised.

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 a day or two before you check your snowflake.

• Now 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!