Praxis: A weekend treat as the Regional Science Fair nears

By Patty Rooks on March 7, 2020.

praxis@praxismh.ca@PraxisMedHat

What an exciting week I have had! I had the privilege of seeing, talking with and judging science fair projects this week.I have literally been all over southeastern Alberta learning from these amazing young scientists. The next step is for them to all attend our Regional Science Fair on March 21 at Medicine Hat College. I just can’t wait to see what the day will have to offer. I am so proud of each and every one of “my” students. Thank you all for working so hard with me these past few weeks. I think it is time to take a break and have some fun with science and make a well-deserved treat this weekend. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– adult science helper

– stove

– measuring cups

– package of no sugar added powdered drink mix

– white sugar

– kitchen/butcher string

– pencil

– scissors

– medium saucepan

– water

– button

– large clear jar or glass

– timer

Procedure

1. You will need an adult to help you as this mixture can get VERY hot and burn you.

2. Cut a piece of string. Tie one end to the button. Wrap the other end around the pencil. Moisten the string slightly and then dip it into a bit of sugar. By doing this, you are making a “seed” for the crystals to grow on.

3. Measure to make sure you have enough string by resting on the mouth of the jar. It should be able to go down almost to the bottom, but NOT touch the bottom.

4. Measure 500 mL (two cups) of sugar and place it in the saucepan. Add 250 mL (one cup) water.

5. Sprinkle in the package of drink mix and stir well.

6. Place the saucepan over medium heat and allow it to come to a boil. Stirring well to ensure all of the sugar has dissolved.

7. Once it comes to a boil stop stirring and allow it to boil for three minutes (set your timer).

8. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.

9. Once cool to the touch, slide your string to one corner and carefully pour the mixture into the jar. Set the jar in a location where it will not be disturbed.

10. Come back and check to see how many crystals have grown each day. Be patient, it may take a few days.

11. Enjoy your crystals when you think you have enough on your string!

What is going on?

In this experiment you made a supersaturated solution with water and just plain old sugar. I hope that you used your observation skills when you were stirring the mixture and observed that there was too much sugar to dissolve in the water at room temperature. You had to heat the solution up to allow the sugar to dissolve completely. In this case, you had more solute or sugar than can actually stay in the liquid form, so the sugar will eventually come out of solution forming a precipitate. Over time, the water will also evaporate out of the jars. As the water evaporates, the solution becomes more saturated and sugar molecules will continue to come out of the solution and form on the seed crystals you made on the string you placed in the jar.

Do not forget to get your tickets for the Taste of Medicine Hat coming up on March 27! I cannot wait to see all of you there!

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. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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