Young Learners Grow Crystals in the Classroom - Middleburgh Central School District

A child wearing a dark hoodie with a cartoon character design holds two pipe cleaners, one white and one brown, while sitting at a classroom desk. Other students and jars are visible in the background. Students in grades 1 through 3 recently learned how to make crystals using Borax and pipe cleaners. The students were excited about the opportunity to grow something so beautiful.

Teacher Francis Dobesh said the activity not only teaches children math and science terms, it’s also helping them build essential skills.

A child holds up a completed worksheet titled “Growing Ornaments” at a classroom desk. A container of markers, scissors, and other supplies is in the foreground, and plants are visible in the background. “First they watched a video about crystals,” Dobesh said. “Next, they need to follow step-by-step directions, practice listening and pay attention to detail.”

Dobesh added that activities like these help young learners strengthen their understanding of math and science concepts such as measuring, observing changes, and understanding cause and effect.

One student ended the lesson with his own plan to scale up the experiment.

An adult pours red liquid from a measuring cup into a jar on a student’s desk. Two children sit at desks nearby, and the classroom background includes a whiteboard, colorful posters, and storage bins. “I’m going to ask my mom if we can make these at home,” Maverick exclaimed. “But we’re going to use a giant bucket to make really big crystals!”

A child in a peach-colored shirt with a graphic design holds up a crystal formed on black and white pipe cleaners. The classroom setting includes desks, chairs, and colorful materials in the background.