Rock candy is a fun and educational science experiment that you can eat at the end! Making rock candy at home is not only a delicious activity but also a fantastic way to engage kids in understanding the science of crystallization. Follow this step-by-step guide to create your own sweet treats while practicing AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) words.
Ingredients:
– Granulated sugar (10 cups for 5 sticks)
– Water
– Food coloring (optional)
– Mason jar or a similar container
– Skewers or sticks (popsicle sticks or more professional ones)
– Clothespin or chip clips
Preparation:
Coat the Stick in Sugar:
– Dip the skewers in water, then coat them in sugar.
– Lay them out to dry for at least an hour.
Prepare the Jar:
– Ensure your jar is not cold by running hot water in it to warm it up.
– Clip your skewer to the jar, letting it hang so that the bottom of the stick is at least an inch above the bottom of the jar. If necessary, balance another stick or pencil across the top of the jar and attach the skewer to that.
– I highly recommend not skipping this step, it was harder to balance them than I anticipated.
Set Up:
– Once you know how you’ll set it up, take the stick back out of the jar.
Making the Rock Candy Solution:
Boil Water:
– Boil 4 cups of water.
Add Sugar:
– Add the sugar one cup at a time, stirring between each cup to ensure it dissolves completely.
– Once the sugar starts to clump and stops dissolving, your sugar solution is ready. It needs to be super saturated to grow big crystals.
Simmer and Rest:
– Let the solution simmer for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Divide and Color:
– Divide the mixture into your jars.
– If using food coloring, stir it in now.
Position the Stick:
– Carefully (it’s hot!) move the jar to where it will rest for the next week.
– Attach the skewer into the solution. I used Tape to hold it upright for the first 24 hours, after that the sugar begins to harden and will help hold the skewer in place.
Growing the Crystals:
Observe Growth:
– After 24 hours, you should start to see crystals growing. For best visibility, consider keeping one solution clear.
Wait and Harvest:
– You can remove the stick anytime you want, but a 6-day growth period is recommended for optimal crystal size.
– After 6 days, gently crack apart the thin layer of crystals formed on the top and pull out your rock candy.
– Allow the excess solution to drain off by resting the stick in an empty container.
Words to Model:
While making and enjoying your rock candy, model these useful words and phrases on the AAC device:
Help
More (more sugar)
Time (time to___)
Wait ( wait to pour it in)
Watch (watch it grow)
Look (look at ____)
Colors (pick out food coloring colors)
Put in (put the stick in)
Stir (stir the sugar)
Lick (eating it!)
Hot (hot jar)
Pour (pour it in)
Cook (cook the sugar)
Enjoy Your Rock Candy!
Making rock candy is a delightful way to combine learning and play. Experiment with different colors and flavors, and enjoy the sweet rewards of your patience and effort. Happy candy-making!