Activity: Crystals in Space
- Students will investigate why researchers grow protein crystals on an International Space Station.
- Students will grow crystals.
- Students will think about how the microgravity environment may change how they do the experiment.
- 250 milliliters of warm water
- Two drinking glasses
- 15 centimeter piece of string
- Pour the 250 milliliters of warm water into a glass
- Pour salt into water, stirring until the salt dissolves. Continue adding salt until no more will dissolve. (Some undissolved salt will re-main at the bottom of the glass)
- Pour the clear salt water into another glass. (Leave the undissolved salt in the first glass)
- Tie the string around the pencil
- Lay the pencil across the top of the glass, allowing the string to hang down into the water
- Place the glass in a protected place
- Check the glass weekly
- Once crystals form, check daily
- How long does it take for the first crystals to form?
- What do you observe on your daily observations?