The week before Winter Break, Ms. Adkins’ 6th grade science class used a winter-themed activity to learn about supersaturated solutions and crystal structure. The class used snowflakes as a jumping off point to discuss how a regular, repeating pattern of molecules connected together form crystals. They cut snowflake shapes from coffee filters and used these as a base for growing crystals. These crystals came from a supersaturated solution poured over the “snowflakes”. The class discussed what supersaturated solutions are, why crystals can form from them, and how thermal and kinetic energy relate to the formation of supersaturated solutions.

Pictured are students observing crystal formation and showing off their crystal snowflakes!