Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
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Alison
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Posted: Feb 04 2012 at 7:43pm | IP Logged Quote Alison
Hi,
Ds(10) wants to make some crystals for his science Cub Scout badge. Has anyone got any fail proof recipies they'd like to share
thanks
Alison
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MaryM
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Posted: Feb 04 2012 at 9:13pm | IP Logged Quote MaryM
We have tried it with the borax recipe - it was okay but not great. I've seen it recently recommended to use the chenille stems instead of string. That seems to be way more successful with so much more surface area.

Example here

I've also wanted to try the alum one to make these geodes from Martha Stewart.

I don't figure this will help since it is a kit not a recipe, but we were really happy with the results of this kit from Home Science Tools - Crystal Growing Kit, which uses Potassium Ferricyanide and Cupric Sulfate.

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sunshinyliving
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Posted: Feb 05 2012 at 11:01pm | IP Logged Quote sunshinyliving
He could try making "coal flowers". Coal flowers, crystals made from coal and ammonia, were often used as decorations back in the "olden days" and do not take too long to grow.

Here is one possibility for more info: http://www.essortment.com/make-flower-display-coal-54277.htm l

Have fun!

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lapazfarm
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Posted: Feb 06 2012 at 12:39am | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm
We did the borax with pipe cleaner snowflakes (long ago!) and they turned out fabulous!

Instructions here:crystal snowflakes

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Mackfam
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Posted: Feb 06 2012 at 6:50am | IP Logged Quote Mackfam
We made borax snowflakes a couple of years ago, too, and like Theresa and ours worked well. We really enjoyed looking at the little flakes of crystals under the microscope.

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CatholicMommy
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Posted: Feb 06 2012 at 11:09am | IP Logged Quote CatholicMommy
My "old-time" favorite is alum - it was the easiest to do with my prying younger sisters around when I was in middle school ;)

But if you do alum, check a bulk food store for a large container of it - it can get pricey FAST at the regular grocery store. At one bulk food store in my area, I can get almost a pound of alum for the same price as 2 tiny containers at the grocery store!

Add food coloring to the water for colored crystals :)

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AtHomeScience
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Posted: Feb 06 2012 at 1:37pm | IP Logged Quote AtHomeScience
We did the super-saturated sugar solution to make "rock candy." We didn't get very large crystals, but I didn't look on the Internet either at all the candy-making sites. Here is one example. And the results are edible!

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MaryM
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Posted: May 30 2012 at 7:21pm | IP Logged Quote MaryM
Found these recipes for crystal making in Treasure Chest of Fun & Fact comic - The Case of the Homemade Crystals

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