Winter Break Fun – Suspensions!
Growing Crystal Snowflakes
Over winter break, Lewiston’s 4-H Community Central Science scientists took advantage of the extra time for science exploration.
![Ball jars holding snowflake shapes in water and borax mixture.](https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2015/12/DSC_0862-300x135.jpg)
A suspension of Borax in water was made. A suspension is a mixture that has solid particles that will separate. Hot water was used so the Borax would stay suspended in the water for a longer amount of time.
Each young scientist made a shape for their snowflake out of chenille stem. This was held into the suspension by a pencil. As the water cooled, the Borax crystals clung to the snowflake shape. The next day, we had some awesome snowflakes!
![Crystal snowflakes hanging in the office](https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2015/12/DSC_0879-300x141.jpg)
These young scientists are excited for new sessions to start in January: Happy 2016!
For more information about Community Central, please contact Kristy L Ouellette, PI of the Maine 4-H Community Central Program kristy.ouellette@maine.edu.
Community Central a project funded by the USDA’s Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects program.