Inside a Geode

crayola supplies

Markers
Washable Watercolors
Watercolor Brushes with Plastic Handle
Model Magic®
Glitter Glue
Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

recycled newspaper
paper towels
container(s) of water

Why?

Ready to peek inside an ordinary-looking rock? Your inside knowledge of gems and minerals becomes crystal clear with this sparkling geode project.

Steps

1. Geodes are beautiful crystal formations. They are found in hollow spaces of mineral deposits that look like ordinary rocks on the outside. Over a long period of time, crystals form in these mineral bubbles, and the bubbles themselves become rock nodules from the outer mineral buildup. Many geodes are formed from quartz or calcite, although other materials such as amethyst crystals can also be found in geodes. Find lots of pictures of these beautiful natural formations. If possible look at them in a museum.
2. To create your own geode replica, use Crayola® Model Magic® to create an outer stone nodule for your crystals. Form white Model Magic into a thick, bowl-shaped pinch pot. Use a Crayola Washable Marker cap to create a textured outer surface on your geode.
3. Roll out a Model Magic snake. Use Crayola Scissors to cut the snake into several short sections. Cut a point onto one end of each section, making four small angled cuts. These are your crystals. Attach the blunt end of the pointed crystals to the inside of the geode. Fill the entire geode with these Model Magic crystals. Air-dry at least 24 hours.
4. Cover a table with recycled newspaper. Use Crayola Washable Watercolors to paint the outside of your geode. Use a brush with stiff bristles to spatter a variety of colors on it.
5. Paint the crystals inside the geode a light, pastel color by diluting the paint with water. Air-dry the geode.
6. Use Crayola Glitter Glue to make your crystals glitter realistically! Air-dry before displaying your collection.

adaptations

Research crystalline structure, and create a large model of a single crystal. Find out how to grow your own crystals.

Create two halves of a geode. Place them together to form a closed geode, like they are found in nature. Surprise a friend with this natural surprise package.

Where are geodes found in your area? From what minerals are they made? How many different crystal colors have been found?

Research information about quartz crystals. Where can you find them (hint: computers, fiber optics)? What shape are the crystals? Learn more about them from exhibits such as the one at the Crystal Sanctuary® at Mines Cristal Kébec in Bonsecours, Quebec, Canada.

benefits

Children research information about how geodes are formed and identify which minerals are crystallized within them.

Students study photographs or museum displays of geodes.

Children create a realistic 3-D model of a geode.

grades

Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6

subjects

Science
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Glitter Glue— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.