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Growing your own crystals in 24 hours is one of the easiest ways to make chemistry feel exciting, visual, and real. Instead of only reading about molecules, solutions, and solids, you can actually watch sparkling crystals form on a pipe cleaner, string, or small shape inside a jar.
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This experiment is popular because it looks like magic, but it is completely based on science.
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When you dissolve a crystal-forming substance in hot water, the water can hold more dissolved material than it can hold when it is cool. As the solution cools, the extra dissolved material comes out of the water and attaches to a surface. Over time, tiny particles arrange themselves into repeating patterns. That is how crystals grow.
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The American Association of Chemistry Teachers explains a similar classroom crystal activity using borax and boiling water to create a supersaturated solution. In that activity, a pipe cleaner acts as a nucleation site where crystals can grow while the solution cools undisturbed overnight.
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In simple words, hot water helps dissolve more powder, cooling forces some of it back out, and the pipe cleaner gives the crystals a place to form.
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This is why crystal growing is a great beginner science experiment. It teaches solubility, saturation, supersaturation, cooling, crystallization, physical change, observation, and experimental variables — all with a result you can actually see.
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For more easy science content, you can also read 10 Science Facts That Sound Fake But Are 100% True and Make a Lava Lamp at Home Using Kitchen Supplies.
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Accuracy note
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This article explains a simple crystal-growing experiment for educational purposes. It is designed for students, parents, teachers, and curious readers who want a safe and clear STEM activity.
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This experiment commonly uses borax because borax crystals can form quickly and visibly, often overnight. However, borax is not food and should not be eaten, tasted, inhaled, or used without adult supervision. Poison Control advises following product instructions when using borates and seeking immediate medical attention if someone ingests a borate.
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Children should only do this experiment with adult supervision, especially because the method uses hot water.
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Quick Safety Notes Before You Start
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This experiment is simple, but it still needs basic safety.
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Use adult supervision.
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Do not eat or taste borax.
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Do not use jars, spoons, or containers again for food after using them with borax.
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Keep borax away from young children and pets.
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Be careful with hot or boiling water.
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Do not lean over the jar while mixing.
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Wash hands after the experiment.
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Throw away leftover solution safely according to local guidance and product instructions.
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If borax is swallowed or exposure causes concern, contact local poison control or a medical professional. Poison Control provides emergency guidance for possible poisoning exposures through its online tool and U.S. phone support.
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Key Facts About the Crystal Experiment
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| Experiment Detail | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Difficulty level | Easy |
| Best age group | Children with adult supervision, students, beginners |
| Main science topic | Supersaturated solutions and crystal growth |
| Time needed | 20–30 minutes setup, then 8–24 hours waiting |
| Best crystal material | Borax for fast visible crystals |
| Safer slower alternatives | Salt or sugar, but they may take longer than 24 hours |
| Best surface | Pipe cleaner, string, or rough object |
| Best result | Leave jar still and undisturbed overnight |
| Main safety concern | Hot water and borax handling |
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Materials You Need
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For the best 24-hour result, use the borax version.
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You will need:
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1 glass jar or heat-safe container
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1 pencil, chopstick, or popsicle stick
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1 pipe cleaner
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String or thread
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Hot water
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Borax powder
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Spoon for stirring
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Food coloring, optional
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Paper towel or tray
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Adult supervision
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Optional materials:
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Magnifying glass
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Notebook for observations
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Ruler for measuring crystal growth
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Camera for before-and-after photos
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Labels for testing different jars
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Best 24-Hour Recipe
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A common classroom-style borax crystal recipe uses about 3 tablespoons of borax powder per cup of hot water. A public library crystal-growing guide gives the same 3 tablespoons per cup ratio for making a saturated borax solution.
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Use this as your starting point:
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1 cup hot water
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3 tablespoons borax powder
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1 pipe cleaner shape
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1 jar
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This ratio usually gives strong crystal growth overnight.
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If you want larger crystals, you can experiment with slightly more borax, but stop when no more dissolves easily. That is a sign the solution is becoming saturated.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
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Step 1: Shape the Pipe Cleaner
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Bend a pipe cleaner into a shape.
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Good beginner shapes include:
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Star
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Heart
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Circle
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Snowflake
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Initial letter
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Small spiral
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Simple tree shape
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The pipe cleaner gives crystals a rough surface where they can start growing. This is called a nucleation site. In the AACT classroom activity, the pipe cleaner serves as the place where crystallization begins as the supersaturated solution cools.
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Example: If you make a star shape, crystals will grow around the edges and points, creating a sparkling crystal star.
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Step 2: Tie the Shape to a Pencil or Stick
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Tie a piece of string to the pipe cleaner shape.
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Tie the other end of the string to a pencil, chopstick, or popsicle stick. The pencil will rest across the top of the jar, holding the shape inside the solution.
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Make sure the pipe cleaner shape hangs freely.
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It should not touch the bottom of the jar.
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It should not touch the sides of the jar.
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It should be fully covered by the solution.
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This matters because crystals grow better when the shape is suspended in the liquid.
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Step 3: Add Hot Water to the Jar
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Ask an adult to pour hot water into the jar.
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The water should be hot enough to dissolve borax well. Many classroom activities use boiling water, but children should not handle boiling water without adult help.
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Hot water is important because solids usually dissolve better in hotter water. When the water cools, it can no longer hold as much dissolved borax, so the extra borax begins forming crystals.
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Step 4: Stir in Borax
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Add borax powder one tablespoon at a time.
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Stir until it dissolves.
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Continue adding borax until the solution becomes saturated. A simple sign is that some borax starts collecting at the bottom and no longer dissolves easily.
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For a basic recipe, use about 3 tablespoons of borax per cup of hot water.
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Optional: add food coloring if you want colored crystals.
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Important: the color may not always be very strong. Food coloring colors the solution, but the crystals may still look clear or pale depending on concentration and lighting.
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Step 5: Lower the Pipe Cleaner Into the Solution
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Carefully place the pipe cleaner shape into the jar.
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Rest the pencil or stick across the top of the jar so the shape hangs in the solution.
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Make sure the shape is fully submerged.
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If it touches the bottom or sides, adjust the string.
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Step 6: Leave the Jar Undisturbed
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Place the jar somewhere safe where it will not be bumped.
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Let it sit overnight or up to 24 hours.
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This step is very important. Moving the jar can disturb the crystal growth.
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A popular borax crystal activity from Steve Spangler Science also recommends lowering the shape into a hot supersaturated solution and letting it sit undisturbed overnight.
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Example: Set the jar on a tray in a quiet corner of the kitchen or classroom. Do not stir it again after the pipe cleaner is inside.
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Step 7: Remove and Dry the Crystals
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After 8 to 24 hours, carefully lift the pipe cleaner out of the jar.
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You should see crystals attached to the pipe cleaner.
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Place it on a paper towel or hang it somewhere safe to dry.
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Do not eat the crystals. They are for observation and decoration only.
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What Should Happen After 24 Hours?
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After 24 hours, you should see a crust of crystals forming around the pipe cleaner.
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The crystals may look:
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Clear
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White
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Sparkly
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Frosty
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Glass-like
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Chunky
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Needle-like
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Clustered
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If you added food coloring, the crystals may have a light tint, but the color may be softer than expected.
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The best result usually appears when the solution is strong, hot, fully dissolved, and left undisturbed.
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The Science Behind the Experiment
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This experiment works because of solubility and crystallization.
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Solubility means how much of a substance can dissolve in a liquid.
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Hot water can dissolve more borax than cold water. When you add borax to hot water and keep stirring, the borax particles spread throughout the water.
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When no more borax can dissolve, the solution is saturated.
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If hot water holds more dissolved borax than it normally could at a cooler temperature, the solution becomes supersaturated as it cools.
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As the solution cools, the water cannot keep all that borax dissolved. The extra borax begins leaving the solution and attaching to the pipe cleaner. The particles arrange themselves into repeating crystal patterns.
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That is crystallization.
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The AACT activity summarizes the same process: students create a supersaturated borax solution with boiling water, then crystals form on the pipe cleaner as the solution cools and remains undisturbed overnight.
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What Is a Supersaturated Solution?
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A supersaturated solution contains more dissolved material than the liquid would normally hold at a lower temperature.
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This happens because hot water can dissolve more solid than cool water.
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Example:
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Imagine a classroom with 20 seats.
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At first, 20 students can sit comfortably.
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Then the room is “heated” and somehow makes space for 30 students.
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But when the room cools back to normal, there is no longer enough space for everyone.
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The extra students have to leave the seats.
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In this experiment, the “extra students” are borax particles. As the solution cools, the extra particles leave the water and attach to the pipe cleaner.
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That is how crystals begin growing.
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What Is a Crystal?
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A crystal is a solid material whose particles are arranged in a repeating pattern.
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Different substances form different crystal shapes because their particles arrange themselves differently.
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That is why table salt, sugar, snowflakes, quartz, and borax crystals do not all look exactly the same.
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In this experiment, the crystal shape depends on the borax particles and the conditions inside the jar.
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Why Do Crystals Grow on the Pipe Cleaner?
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Crystals need a place to start.
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The pipe cleaner provides a rough surface where tiny particles can attach. Once a few particles attach, more particles join them. Over time, a visible crystal cluster forms.
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This starting point is called nucleation.
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Smooth surfaces may not grow crystals as easily. Rough or fuzzy surfaces work better because they provide many tiny points where crystals can begin forming.
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Example: A pipe cleaner usually works better than a smooth plastic straw because the fuzzy fibers give the crystals more places to attach.
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Variables You Can Test
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This experiment becomes much more educational if you test one variable at a time.
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You can test:
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More borax vs less borax
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Hotter water vs cooler water
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Pipe cleaner vs string
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Food coloring vs no coloring
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Tall jar vs wide jar
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Still jar vs moved jar
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Different shapes
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Different cooling times
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Different waiting times
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Example experiment idea:
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Make three jars.
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Jar A: 1 tablespoon borax per cup of water
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Jar B: 2 tablespoons borax per cup of water
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Jar C: 3 tablespoons borax per cup of water
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Keep everything else the same.
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After 24 hours, compare which jar grew the most crystals.
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This turns the activity from a craft into a real science experiment.
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Observation Table for Students
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Use this simple table for classroom or home learning.
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| Time | What You Observe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 hours | Pipe cleaner placed in solution | Solution is hot and clear/cloudy |
| 2 hours | First crystals may begin forming | Check without moving jar |
| 6 hours | More crystals visible | Growth may appear around edges |
| 12 hours | Stronger crystal clusters | Shape becomes clearer |
| 24 hours | Final crystal formation | Remove and dry carefully |
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Troubleshooting: Why Did My Crystals Not Grow?
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Problem 1: Not Enough Borax
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If you did not add enough borax, the solution may not have been saturated.
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Fix: Add more borax next time until some stops dissolving.
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Problem 2: Water Was Not Hot Enough
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Cool water cannot dissolve as much borax.
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Fix: Use hotter water with adult help.
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Problem 3: The Jar Was Moved Too Much
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Movement can disturb early crystal growth.
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Fix: Leave the jar in a quiet place overnight.
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Problem 4: Pipe Cleaner Touched the Jar
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If the shape touches the bottom or sides, crystals may grow unevenly or stick to the jar.
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Fix: Suspend the shape in the center.
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Problem 5: Not Enough Time
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Some crystals appear within hours, but stronger growth may need overnight or a full 24 hours.
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Fix: Wait longer before removing the shape.
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Problem 6: Too Much Food Coloring
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Food coloring can make the solution look dramatic, but it does not always make crystals brighter.
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Fix: Use color lightly and focus on crystal formation.
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Can You Grow Crystals Without Borax?
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Yes, but the result may take longer.
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Alternative crystal materials include:
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Salt
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Sugar
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Epsom salt
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Alum
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Salt and sugar crystals are safer for food-related handling, but they often require more time, careful concentration, and patience. Rock candy, for example, can take several days to form large sugar crystals.
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For a 24-hour experiment with visible results, borax is usually faster and more reliable.
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However, if the experiment is for very young children, a salt or sugar version may be a better choice, even if the crystals are slower.
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Borax Crystals vs Salt Crystals vs Sugar Crystals
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| Material | Speed | Safety Notes | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borax | Fast, often overnight | Do not eat; adult supervision required | Quick visual crystal experiment |
| Salt | Slower | Safer household material, but do not eat experiment solution | Simple crystal observation |
| Sugar | Slower, often several days | Food-based if clean kitchen method is used | Rock candy-style experiment |
| Epsom salt | Can be fairly quick | Do not eat experiment crystals | Needle-like crystal activity |
| Alum | Good crystal growth | Do not eat; adult supervision recommended | Clear crystal-growing projects |
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Example: Crystal Snowflake
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A crystal snowflake is one of the best beginner versions of this experiment.
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Bend a pipe cleaner into a snowflake shape.
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Make a borax solution.
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Suspend the snowflake in the jar.
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Leave it overnight.
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Remove it after crystals form.
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This works especially well because the snowflake has many arms and edges where crystals can attach.
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This is similar to the AACT winter crystals activity, where students make a snowflake from pipe cleaner and suspend it in a supersaturated borax solution overnight.
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Example: Crystal Heart
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A crystal heart is a good version for a classroom project, gift, or decoration.
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Bend a pipe cleaner into a heart shape.
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Use clear solution for white crystals.
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Use food coloring for a pink or red tint.
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Let it grow overnight.
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This version is easy and visually appealing.
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Example: Crystal Name Initial
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You can also bend a pipe cleaner into the first letter of your name.
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This makes the experiment more personal and fun.
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Example: A student named Sara can bend the pipe cleaner into an “S” shape and grow crystals around it.
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This is a good classroom idea because each student can make a different letter and compare results.
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What Students Learn From This Experiment
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This experiment teaches several science concepts:
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Solubility
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Saturation
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Supersaturation
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Crystallization
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Physical change
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Temperature effects
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Observation
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Variables
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Nucleation
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Scientific method
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The best part is that students can see the result.
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Instead of only memorizing a definition, they watch dissolved particles become visible crystals.
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Is This a Chemical Change or Physical Change?
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Growing borax crystals is mainly a physical change.
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The borax dissolves in water and then comes back out as crystals when the solution cools. The basic substance does not become a new chemical substance.
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This makes it a useful classroom example of dissolving, cooling, and crystallization.
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A physical change can still look dramatic. The solution changes from liquid with dissolved particles into visible solid crystals, but the material itself is not transformed into a new chemical compound.
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Why Temperature Matters
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Temperature controls how much borax can dissolve.
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Hot water can hold more borax.
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Cool water can hold less borax.
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When hot saturated solution cools, the extra borax has to come out of the solution.
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That is why crystals grow as the jar cools.
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Example: If you use lukewarm water instead of hot water, fewer crystals may form because less borax dissolves at the start.
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Why Patience Matters
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Crystal growth takes time.
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Tiny particles need time to attach, arrange, and grow into visible structures. If the jar is moved too often, the crystals may break, fall, or grow unevenly.
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For the best result, prepare the jar in the evening and check it the next morning.
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By 24 hours, the crystal shape is usually much more visible.
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How to Make the Experiment More Scientific
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To make this a real science project, ask a testable question.
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Examples:
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Does more borax create more crystals?
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Does food coloring affect crystal growth?
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Does a fuzzy pipe cleaner grow more crystals than string?
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Does slow cooling create larger crystals?
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Does jar size affect crystal growth?
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Then create a hypothesis.
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Example:
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“If I add more borax to the solution, then more crystals will grow because the solution will contain more dissolved material.”
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Next, test only one variable at a time.
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Record observations.
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Take photos.
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Compare results.
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Write a conclusion.
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This turns a simple activity into a proper STEM project.
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Safety Tips for Parents and Teachers
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Use hot water only with adult supervision.
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Do not let children handle boiling water.
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Keep borax away from mouths, eyes, pets, and small children.
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Use labeled containers.
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Do not use experiment containers for food afterward.
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Wash hands after handling materials.
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Keep the experiment on a tray to prevent spills.
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Dispose of leftover liquid safely.
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Store finished crystals away from young children.
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Borax and related borate products should be used according to product instructions, and ingestion should be treated seriously. Poison Control specifically advises seeking immediate medical attention if someone ingests a borate.
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What People Often Get Wrong
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Many people think crystals grow because the water “turns into crystals.” That is not correct. The crystals come from the dissolved borax, not from the water itself.
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Another mistake is thinking more food coloring automatically means brighter crystals. The color may stay mostly in the liquid, so the crystals can still look pale.
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A third mistake is stirring the jar after the pipe cleaner is inside. This can disturb crystal growth.
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A fourth mistake is removing the crystals too early. Small crystals may start forming within hours, but a full overnight wait usually gives better results.
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A fifth mistake is treating borax like food because it is used in household activities. Borax is not food and should never be eaten.
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Practical Reader Takeaway
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Growing crystals in 24 hours is a simple experiment that teaches real chemistry.
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The main idea is supersaturation. Hot water dissolves more borax than cool water. When the solution cools, the extra borax comes out of the water and forms crystals on the pipe cleaner.
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The experiment is fun because the result looks beautiful, but it is also educational because it shows solubility, cooling, crystallization, and observation in action.
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With adult supervision and proper safety, it can be a strong home or classroom STEM activity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you really grow crystals in 24 hours?
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Yes. Borax crystals can often grow overnight or within 24 hours when you use a hot supersaturated solution and leave the jar undisturbed. The AACT classroom activity describes borax crystallization forming on a pipe cleaner as the solution cools overnight.
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What is the best material for growing crystals quickly?
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Borax is one of the easiest materials for fast visible crystals. Salt and sugar can also grow crystals, but they usually take longer.
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Is borax safe for kids?
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Borax should only be used with adult supervision. It should not be eaten, tasted, inhaled, or handled carelessly. Poison Control advises following product instructions and seeking medical attention if borates are ingested.
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Why do crystals grow on pipe cleaners?
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Pipe cleaners have rough fuzzy surfaces that give dissolved particles places to attach. These starting points help crystals form and grow.
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Why does hot water work better?
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Hot water dissolves more borax. As the water cools, the extra dissolved borax leaves the solution and forms crystals.
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Can I use sugar instead of borax?
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Yes, sugar can form crystals, but it usually takes longer than 24 hours. Sugar crystals are commonly used in rock candy experiments.
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Can I use salt instead of borax?
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Yes, salt can form crystals, but salt crystals may take longer and may not look as dramatic as borax crystals.
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Why did my crystals grow at the bottom of the jar?
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This can happen if extra borax settled at the bottom or if the pipe cleaner touched the jar. Next time, suspend the shape in the middle and make sure the borax dissolves well.
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Can I touch the finished crystals?
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You can handle them gently after they dry, but wash your hands afterward and keep them away from young children and pets. Do not eat them.
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Can I keep the crystals as decoration?
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Yes, dried borax crystal shapes can be kept as decorations, but they should be handled carefully and kept away from moisture, food areas, pets, and small children.
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Conclusion
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Growing your own crystals in 24 hours is one of the best beginner science experiments because it is simple, visual, and full of real chemistry.
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With hot water, borax, a pipe cleaner, and patience, you can watch a clear solution turn into sparkling crystal structures overnight. The process teaches solubility, supersaturation, nucleation, cooling, and crystallization in a way that students can actually see.
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The experiment also shows an important lesson about science: beautiful results often come from simple principles. A jar of hot solution may not look exciting at first, but inside it, tiny particles are moving, cooling, attaching, and arranging themselves into crystal patterns.
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That is what makes this experiment so useful. It is fun enough for a home activity, clear enough for a classroom demonstration, and scientific enough to become a real STEM project.
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Just remember the key rule: enjoy the crystals, observe the science, and always follow safety guidelines.
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Sources and Further Reading
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American Association of Chemistry Teachers: Winter Crystals
https://teachchemistry.org/classroom-resources/winter-crystals
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Poison Control: Borates, Borax, and Boric Acid Safety
https://www.poison.org/articles/borates
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Poison Control: Emergency Poison Help
https://www.poison.org/
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Attleboro Library: Growing Crystals Two Ways Using Supersaturated Solutions
https://attleborolibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Growing-Crystals.pdf
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Steve Spangler Science: Borax Crystal Ornaments
https://stevespangler.com/experiments/magic-crystal-snowflake/
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