Ingredients
- Pipe cleaners (quantity: several)
- A jar (1)
- Water (amount unspecified)
- Sugar (amount unspecified)
- A heat source, such as a stove (1)
- A spoon (1)
- String (length sufficient to suspend shapes)
Instructions
- Shape the pipe cleaners. Bend them into a design such as a star or spiral. Keep the shape compact enough to fit inside the jar, with a little space around it so it will not touch the sides. Make sure the design can be suspended securely.
- Prepare a concentrated sugar solution. An adult should boil water using the heat source. Add sugar and stir with the spoon until no more dissolves. The goal is a highly concentrated solution.
- Pour the solution into the jar. Carefully transfer the hot liquid to the jar. Do this slowly to avoid splashes. Set the jar on a stable surface, away from the edge of a counter and away from children while the liquid is hot.
- Hang the pipe-cleaner shape. Use a string to suspend the shape in the solution. Adjust it so it is surrounded by liquid and does not rest against the bottom or sides of the jar.
- Leave the jar undisturbed. Let the solution sit for several days while crystals form. Avoid moving, shaking, or repeatedly lifting the shape.
- Observe the result carefully. Once crystals have formed, an adult can remove the shape from the jar. Handle it gently, as the crystals may be delicate.
Notes
This experiment is not for eating; handle the materials with care, especially when dealing with hot water. Crystals can be fragile, and the finished shapes may shed or break. Keep them displayed out of reach of small children and pets.
