Crystal Gardens

Directions

• Place 5 pieces of charcoal in an even layer in the pan. You can break them up into smaller pieces if you want.
• Using a small cup, sprinkle some distilled water onto the charcoal until it is thoroughly dampened.

Directions - continued

• In a small beaker, mix 3 tablespoons of salt, 3 tablespoons ammonia, and 6 tablespoons of bluing.
• Stir until the salt is dissolved or nearly dissolved.

Directions - continued

• Pour the mixture over the charcoal pieces.
• Add a bit of water or scrape the beaker with a spoon to pick up the remaining chemicals and put that on the charcoal as well.

Directions - continued

• Add a drop of food coloring here and there across the surface of the 'garden'. Areas where there is not food coloring will be white
• Sprinkle an additional 2 tablespoons across the surface of the 'garden'

Directions - continued

• Grab a data sheet from the small science table and make some QNT and QLT observations
• Set the 'garden' in the designated spot according to Mrs. Hershey's instructions for your class.
• Upon coming into class tomorrow, you will get your 'gardens' and make additional observations.