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1. In this science fair project, you'll be recrystallizing borax under three different temperature conditions: in a refrigerator, at room temperature, and in an ice bath. Before you begin, make a hypothesis, based on your background reading, about how the crystals grown under each of these conditions will look. Write your hypothesis in your lab notebook.

2. Prepare an ice bath by filling the large bowl half full of ice and then adding water until the bowl is three-quarters full.

a. Place the ice bath on a countertop or on a table, where it can be left undisturbed for at least 5 hours.

3. As soon as the ice bath is prepared, use the thermometer to take the temperature of the ice bath, of the refrigerator, and of the room (do this by putting the thermometer on the countertop or table), and record the temperatures in your lab notebook.

4. Cut three pieces of string and tie one around each pencil. The string pieces should be of equal length and should be long enough that when the pencil is laid across the top of the jar, the end of the string hangs down to just above the bottom of the jar.

5. Bring enough water to fill each jar three-fourths full to a boil in a pot, with adult supervision.

6. Add 1 tablespoon (Tbsp.) of borax to the water, and stir until it dissolves. Repeat, 1 Tbsp. at a time, until no more borax will dissolve. This is your saturated solution.

7. With an adult's help, pour equal amounts of the saturated solution into the three jars. The jars should be about three-fourths full.

8. Lay a pencil across the top of each jar so the strings hang down into the saturated solution.

9. Cover the jars with plastic wrap, wax paper, or aluminum foil.

10. Place one jar in the refrigerator, leave one undisturbed on a countertop or table at room temperature, and put one in the ice bath you prepared.

11. Leave the jars alone for a minimum of 5 hours, or until crystals form (whichever is longer), and be sure not to disturb...