Grow ‘em big!

• Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with the eyes or mouth.
• Keep young children, animals and those not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area.
• Store this experimental set out of reach of children under 12 years of age.
• Clean all equipment after use.
• Make sure that all containers are fully closed and properly stored after use.
• Ensure that all empty containers are disposed of properly.
• Do not use any equipment which has not been supplied with the set or recommended in the instructions for use.
• Do not replace foodstuffs in original container. Dispose of immediately.

• In case of eye contact: Wash out eye with plenty of water, holding eye open if necessary. Seek immediate medical advice.
• If swallowed: Wash out mouth with water, drink some fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice.
• In case of inhalation: Remove person to fresh air.
• In case of skin contact and burns: Wash affected area with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes.
• In case of doubt, seek medical advice without delay. Take the chemical and its container with you.
• In case of injury always seek medical advice.

• The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to health. Only carry out those experiments which are listed in the instructions.
• This experimental set is for use only by children over 12 years.
• Because children’s abilities vary so much, even within age groups, supervising adults should exercise discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe for them. The instructions should enable supervisors to assess any experiment to establish its suitability for a particular child.
• The supervising adult should discuss the warnings and safety information with the child or children before commencing the experiments. Particular attention should be paid to the safe handling of acids, alkalis and flammable liquids.
• The area surrounding the experiment should be kept clear of any obstructions and away from the storage of food. It should be well lit and ventilated and close to a water supply. A solid table with a heat resistant top should be provided
• Substances in non-reclosable packaging should be used up (completely) during the course of one experiment, i.e. after opening the package.

Copper sulfate may not dissolve completely in these conditions, so just pour the solution into a Petri dish, leaving the insoluble precipitate behind.

In this case, transfer the solution back into the disposable cup and rinse the Petri dish with water. Carefully pour the solution back into the Petri dish, this time without the sediment.

Wait just a little longer — you’ll get your beautiful crystals in the end! Crystals take longer to grow in isolated places, but they’ll eventually grow much larger and will have fewer defects.

This can happen if some dust gets into the solution or the forming crystals are exposed to a temperature change.

But all is not lost! Wait until the crystals are completely formed. Dissolve the same crystals in 20 mL of boiling water and pour the solution back into the Petri dish. Try to shelter the solution from dust and changes in temperature.

If you want to keep your crystals nice, coat them with a colorless nail polish. After the nail polish dries, store the crystals in a closed container.