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ACTIVITY 8 – Making Jewellery/Ornaments
You will need:
• Lids from measuring cups
• Plaster of Paris – not included
• Crystals grown from previous experiments
• Cooking oil (for coating the inside of the lid)
• Eyedropper
• Tweezers
Method:
Coat the inside of the lid with a thin layer of cooking oil to prevent the plaster from
sticking. Place a tablespoon of plaster powder in a small plastic container and use the
eyedropper to gradually add drops of water to the plaster. Use a matchstick to mix the
plaster and water until it has the consistency of a thick pudding. Pour the mixture into the
lid and spread evenly to make the plaster base. Use your tweezers to place the crystal on
to the plaster. Leave for two to three hours until the plaster sets. Gently press the bottom
of the lid to release the plaster cast.
ACTIVITY 7 – Moulded Crystals
You will need:
• Prepared crystal growing solution (from activity 4 or 5)
• Small plastic moulds
Method:
Prepare a solution in a jam jar as detailed in activity 4 or 5. Fill the plastic moulds
with the solution and leave for 24 to 36 hours. The crystals will set in the shape of
the mould. You will need to top up the mould with solution as the crystals grow and
the liquid evaporates. When all of the liquid has evaporated and the crystals are fully
formed, gently take the crystals out of the mould and place on your display stand.
ACTIVITY 10 – Creating Stalactites and Stalagmites
You will need:
• 2 clean jam jars
• Old baking tray or aluminium takeaway dish
• Strip of cotton cloth (preferably terry towelling) 3cm wide x 40cm long
• 12 tablespoons washing soda (sodium carbonate)
Method:
Pour one cup of hot water into each jar and add half of the washing soda to each. Insert
the ends of the cloth into each of the jars, making sure that the ends reach the bottom of
the jars. Place the jars in the baking tray and move the tray to a warm place, well out of
the reach of small children and pets. Wait several days and you will see that the solution
starts to drip and a column begins to form.
ACTIVITY 9 – Making a Crystal Garden
You will need:
• Lids from plastic containers
• Plaster of Paris – not included
• Crystals grown from previous experiments
• Cooking oil (for coating the inside of the lid)
• Eyedropper
• Tweezers
Method:
Prepare a plaster base with one of the lids from the plastic containers. Using your
collection of crystals, embed them into the still soft plaster to create a crystal garden.
Use adhesive to attach crystals, beads and pebbles to the embedded crystals to add
a further dimension to your garden.
Stalactites and Stalagmites
Moulds
