Rock Candy

Sawyer and I like to do science experiments and since this one is so easy for everyone to do, we thought we would share it with you all so you can try it out yourself.  We have been learning about crystals and how they are created, etc. so we decided to make rock candy.

The first thing you will need is a clean medium size jar, two popsicle sticks, and some string.  Just make sure that the popsicle stick hangs and does not touch the bottom.

Like this...

Next get a medium size saucepan and add 8 measuring cups full of water.  Our measuring cup is 25 millileters.  Bring the water to a boil.

 And don't forget your safety gear! And apparently shirts are optional, too.

Next, while keeping the water boiling, add 16 measuring cups full of sugar and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.

 It helps to have a cheering section!

With the water still boiling and while stirring, add 8 more measuring cups full of sugar.

Take off the heat and let cool before adding to glass jar.  We are a little impatient, so we didn't wait too long...maybe 5 minutes.

When completely cooled (or you get impatient excited) add solution to glass jar leaving undissolved sugar in pot.

Wrap string several times tightly around the vertical popsicle stick.  Then tie it to the horizontal popsicle stick.  Next, place it in the solution.

Oops, take it back out again and add some food coloring of your choice.  We chose green.  Add how ever much you want.  Sawyer liked doing this so we added a couple dropper fulls.

It looks pretty cool going in...

NOW, you can place your stick in the solution.

And don't forget to chart your findings like all good scientists do!

Let stand for 24 hours (Let your sugar crystals stand longer to grow larger crystals).  One thing to keep in mind is that crystals will form on the surface of the sugar solution.  Just gently break up these crystals every time they appear so that crystals will form on the popsicle stick instead. 

You will notice the rock candy forming after 24 hours but we recommend waiting for about 4 or 5 days so it gets bigger. And here is the results after 5 days.

 All that is left to do is enjoy!

 YUM!!