Praxis: Christmas tree science

By Patty Rooks on December 7, 2019.

praxis@praxismh.ca@PraxisMedHat

I can hardly believe that November is fading away so fast and December is just around the corner. I do not know about you, but I am starting to see signs of the holiday season everywhere!! It is beautiful to see all of the decorations out to celebrate this wonderful time of the year. It may be a little early for some of us to put up our real Christmas tree inside, but this experiment will get you in the holiday spirit of things. Let’s get started!

*Have an adult help you with this experiment.

Materials

– shallow plastic container

– measuring cups

– measuring spoons

– bluing (bluing is can be found in the laundry section of the grocery store)

– ammonia

– goggles

– salt

– green food colouring

– thick piece of cardboard

– scissors

– two mixing bowls

– paint brush

– water

– rubber gloves

– well ventilated area

Procedure

1. Using the scissors cut out TWO Christmas tree shapes.

2. Cut a slit in the bottom of one and a slit in the top of the other. Slide them together. This way they will stand up.

3. Place the Christmas tree in the shallow plastic container.

4. Pour a bit of food colouring into a bowl.

5. Using the paintbrush, paint the Christmas tree cut outs green.

6. Allow these to dry for a little while.

7. In the meantime, you can mix up the “magic solution.” You will need an adult help you.

8. Please put on your safety goggles and gloves.

9. Measure 60 mL (1/4 cup) of water into the mixing bowl.

10. Add 60 mL (1/4 cup) salt.

11. Stir in 60 mL (1/4 cup) Bluing.

12. Add 30 mL of ammonia. Be careful that you are working in a well ventilated area and do not inhale the ammonia fumes, they are not safe.

13. Stir well.

14. Carefully pour this solution into the container with the Christmas tree in it.

15. Wash your hands.

16. Patience is what you need now! It may take a day or so for the crystals to form, but they will be well worth it when they do!!

If you are looking for some great holiday activities to do with your class, do not forget to book our Christmas Science Hands-on Learning Kit as soon as possible. I have a few bins of each, but they will go fast!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. NOTE our NEW address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.