Scientific Method and Crystal Growth

Young chemists grow ionic crystals, metallic crystals, and supersaturated crystals in three different lab experiments. Observing these under a microscope allows pupils to compare the various structures. 

What's the difference between a rock and a mineral? And what properties are used to identify minerals? The first installment of a five-part series on earth materials and processes prompts young scientists to identify a set of...

Of quartz I love geology! The chapter offers five activities at three different levels. It features hands-on activities that cover crystal shapes, cleavage and fracture, hardness scale, specific gravity, and mineral identification....

What an exciting lab experiment to conduct with your high school chemistry class! Crystals are formed naturally in the environment. However, allow your blossoming chemists to create their own unique crystals using alum and water. You may...

You don't have to be a scientist or even out of high school to contribute to scientific research. In the 12th activity in the series of 21, scholars use this opportunity to add to the growing body of scientific knowledge and consider the...

What do amazonite, heliotrope, carnelian, and diamonds have in common? There are all crystals and members of one of the six crystal families. Viewers of a fascinating short video learn about the molecular structure of crystals that cause...

Get crazy for crystals! Junior geologists learn the secrets of crystal formation through lecture, reading, and examples. Other topics include common ionic compounds found in fresh and salt water, the effects of location on forming...

How can mineralogists tell a diamond in the rough from a chunk of table salt? Science scholars find out through an interactive that demonstrates the characteristics of minerals used for identification purposes. Topics include hardness,...

Crystalline structures have unique properties that are sure to wow classes. A hands-on lesson has learners form their own crystals using a variety of compounds. They then choose a variable to investigate to determine its impact on the...

A great way to learn about molecular structures is to make a model. Gumdrops and toothpicks are used to construct crystal models. The models are based on theories of crystal shapes that occur because of positive and or negatively charged...