Let's Go Caving!

Problem:

How are stalagmites and stalactites formed?

Materials:

• Epsom salt
• Black poster board
• Tape
• Scissors
• 4 drinking glasses
• Black yarn
• 4 washers
• A ruler
• A small pot
• A spoons
• Logbook

Procedure:

1. Cut a 4 ½ x 9 inch piece of the poster board, and bend the length of the piece into a semicircle.
2. Place two drinking glasses at least at the ends of the semicircle on the outside. Make sure that the glasses are at least 1 inch above the poster board (5 ½ inches).
3. Tape the ends of the semicircle to the outside of the two glasses.
4. Place the other two glasses at equal distance between the ends, on the outside of the semicircle and tape them to the poster board.
5. Cut 2 16-inch pieces of black yarn.
6. Tie the washers to the ends of the yarn.
7. Stretch the yarn pieces across the glasses in a slightly sagging “X” shape with the washers inside the glasses.
8. Fill the small saucepan with water, and add Epsom salt, stirring until no more salt dissolves.
9. Heat the water slowly and continue stirring and adding salt.
10. Fill each glass with the salt water.
11. Place in a safe spot where the cave will not be disturbed and observe daily for about two weeks.
12. This project can be visually chronicled with photographs labeled by day and brief captions.