Salt Crystal Lab

In the salt crystal lab, the students are growing crystals from three types of salt: iodized table salt, un-iodized table salt, and Epsom salt. Each group prepared a saturated salt solution, added food color, and then poured each solution into each half of a Petri dish (one half contained a sponge and the other was empty). See pictures from one group from each class.

For this lab, I gave an overview of the procedure while the students were at their desks. I also had them answer three questions before the could get the boiling water that they needed to make the salt solutions. My goal was to get them to listen, read, and pay attention. I think the lab went well, but it's difficult to get everyone to listen to and/or read the instructions before they start the lab. Hopefully everyone will have salt crystals next Monday.