Equipment

• Glass jar with a wide mouth
• Pencil (long enough to rest on top of the jar)
• Rough string or yarn (not nylon)
• Scissors
• Paperclip
• Pan to boil water
• Spoon

Materials

• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of string a few inches longer than the height of the jar.
2. Tie a paperclip to one end of the string.
3. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil.
4. Place the pencil across the top of the jar so the string hangs inside. The paperclip should be about an inch from the bottom. Adjust if needed.
5. Remove the pencil and string from the jar.
6. Boil the water in a pan. (Use safety precautions!)
7. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. Stir in one spoonful of sugar at a time until no more will dissolve. If sugar collects at the bottom, stop adding more.
9. Pour the sugar water into the jar.
10. Dip the paperclip end of the string into the solution, then roll it in dry sugar. This helps the crystal start growing.
11. Place the pencil with the string back on top of the jar.
12. Set the jar in a quiet place where it will not be disturbed.
13. Leave it for at least two weeks.
14. Remove the string and check out the crystal!

Notes

• If you cannot boil water during the meeting, prepare the sugar solution ahead of time.
• Try using food coloring to make colorful crystals.
• See what happens if you use different types of sugar.
• Crystals grow best in a warm, dry place. If the air is very humid, it may take longer.
• Remind Scouts to be careful with hot water. An adult should handle boiling and pouring.

For more information, see https://scoutermom.com/4685/grow-sugar-crystal/