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by Joe Rhatigan and Veronika Alice Gunter
Topics: Fourth Grade, Science

Chemistry isn't just incredible ... sometimes its edible! These crystal lollipops are a delicious introduction to some very lick-able chemistry concepts. Teach your child about saturation, evaporation, and crystallization with a simple kitchen concoction that will leave them hungry for more chemistry.

 

What You Need
  • Adult helper
  • Measuring cup
  • Water
  • Saucepan
  • Stove
  • Sugar
  • Wooden spoon
  • Small paper cups
  • Craft sticks
  • Plastic wrap
What You Do

  • Pour ½ cup of water into the saucepan. Slowly sprinkle in 1 cup of sugar as you stir. Stop adding sugar when it stops dissolving.

  • Place the saucepan on the stove and heat it on low heat for two to three minutes, or until the sugar starts dissolving again. Add the rest of the sugar and cook the solution until all of the sugar dissolves, stirring it occasionally.

  • Turn up the heat to medium-high until the solution boils. Boil for one minute, until the solution is thick and clear.

  • Turn off the heat and and carefully pour the solution into the cups. Stick one craft stick into each cup, and cover loosely with plastic wrap.

  • Let your lollipops sit undisturbed overnight. The lollipops will fully crystallize and loosen from the sides of the cups. (If they aren't ready, let them sit for another 24 hours.)

Now they're ready to eat!

 

Why it Works

Heating the water forces more sugar to dissolve than ordinarily could, leading to supersaturation. When the mixtures cool, the water can no longer hang onto all that extra sugar. So, after you pour the lollipop solution in the cups, the water evaporates and sugar crystals remain.