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How to Make Sugar Crystals in Chemistry

Students often love chemistry class because they get to perform experiments that often involve different colored flames, controlled explosions and liquids that fizz, bubble and change colors. One way to tie the sciences together is to combine chemistry and geology by making sugar crystals. Not only does this teach students how crystals in nature form, it also shows them how precipitates form and results in something edible--a rare thing in many chemistry classes.
You need very few supplies for this project and each student has the chance to customize his or her rock crystals to their own tastes. If you use different amounts or types of sugar for several groups of students, they can compare and discuss the why's as they eat their projects.

Things You'll Need

Glass jar
Bamboo skewers
Binder clip
Water
Small pot
Sugar
Long spoon
Food coloring
Flavoring extracts (orange, mint, root beer, vanilla, etc.)

Instructions

- 1
  Bring enough water to a boil to fill your jar. For instance, if your jar holds a pint, bring two cups of water to a boil. Remove the water from heat and stir sugar into the hot water by spoonfuls until it stops dissolving.
- 2
  Pour the water slowly into your glass jar. Add about five drops each of your desired food coloring and flavoring.
- 3
  Clip two skewers together with binder clips to form a plus sign. Slip the pointed end of one skewer into the jar of water and lay the other across the jar's opening. Make sure the immersed skewer does not touch the bottom of the jar. Adjust as necessary.
- 4
  Set the jar in a warm area where it will not be disturbed. Over the next few days, crystals should begin to form on the skewer. As the water dissolves, it leaves behind sugar precipitate that forms crystals, just as crystals are formed in the earth.

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