salt crystallization

2021 Education and Outreach: Watch How Salt Crystals Form!

The Center for Complex and Active Materials MRSEC developed a remote learning module using table salt and a paper microscope to familiarize K-12 students with the basics of materials science and microscopy. This module gives insights into the crystallization and growth (2 different process rates) in materials from atomic to macroscopic point of view, demonstrating the significance of microscopy in our understanding of the world around us.

These kits contain salt, sugar and a Foldscope (an affordable microscope made of paper which can be connected to a cell phone camera and collect images and videos or looked through with naked eyes). The kits were distributed to early College HS in Costa Mesa (Newport-Mesa USD, 62% Latino and 64% socioeconomically disadvantaged) and Segerstrom HS in Santa Ana (Santa Ana USD, 91% Latino and 74% socioeconomically disadvantaged). Approximately 50 students across both schools are expected to engage in these foldscope modules through their MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) and engineering classes.   Accompanying the kits is an instructional video available to the library patrons on YouTube at the following link: https://youtu.be/vXCfo9BDpgQ