I’ve been so excited about this science project! Sam chose to do his science fair on the topic of crystallization. Did you know that you can make your own geode in 24 hours? It’s so cool!
You need egg shells and glue…
and something that you get in the spice aisle at the grocery store called Alum. I guess it’s used for pickling?
It takes one full container of the stuff to make the experiment complete. Be warned: don’t buy the stuff in bulk for a class. The bulk stuff, called Alum, is actually Aluminum Sulfate which will NOT work. The stuff in the spice racks is Potassium Aluminum Sulfate. Hot water and food coloring make the final result really attractive.
After 12 hours in the solution it comes out all gel like, but then they dry out for your very own geode!
Check out all the steps and the how & why at Steve Spangler Science. Even though this is for Sam’s science fair, we plan to make many of these this summer. Too fun!
Very cool!
That is so cool!
All right, that’s it .. my brother needs to follow your blog. He loves this type of thing and I’m hoping this will get him actually going not just planning.
This post was also shared at http://mamasmiles.com/learning-laboratory-preschool-art-show/
and
Linesacrossmyface.com
and
http://www.cometogetherkids.com/2012/06/summer-fun-projects-and-activities.html
I love finding other families out there who really delve into science so enthusiastically. I can’t wait to try this geode activity! I off to search around on your site some more!!
This is an awesome experiment. He looks like he is having fun which is a great plus. They do look great!
This is very cool – haven’t seen it before, either!
Thanks for linking up to Learning Laboratory at Mama Smiles =)
I’ve never seen it done this way before. We’ve done the Borax and the sugar crystals. we’ve got to try this!
I’m now on the hunt for alum – don’t recall seeing it in the supermarket but I’ll cross my fingers its there.
How fun! I’ll have to try this with my children!
This is something I will enjoy doing with my granddaughters. I saw a very large one in a museum just Monday.
What a cool project! One question though. Would it work to use anything other than an eggshell for the base? My daughter is allergic to eggs, so I’m wondering what else might be used? Is the eggshell a crucial ingredient?