Learning Goals
Students will be able to formulate an investigable question about how setup conditions affect borax crystal growth on a pipe-cleaner scaffold.
Students will be able to document scaffold position, solution conditions, and before-and-after observations to identify evidence of crystal growth.
Students will be able to explain how a suspended pipe-cleaner scaffold supports crystal formation without touching the jar’s sides or bottom.
Students will be able to evaluate evidence about which observed conditions helped crystals grow best and identify limitations in the investigation.
Students will be able to reflect on successes, challenges, and collaboration during the safe, adult-supervised crystal-growing investigation.
Products
Borax Crystal Investigation Video
Each student creates a short video using before-and-after images to explain the question, scaffold design, adult-supervised setup, observations, evidence-based conclusion, limitations, and personal reflection. The video must clarify that an adult handled the boiling water and borax solution.
Before-and-After Crystal Growth Photo Board and Centerpiece
Each team creates a gallery-ready photo board featuring its finished crystal-covered pipe cleaner, labeled setup conditions, observation evidence, findings, limitations, partner guidance, and reflections on challenges and teamwork. The board synthesizes members’ evidence and accounts for any conflicting or unexpected observations.
No rubric has been generated yet.