Crystals

This learning situation brings the student to understand the scientific principles touched by crystallography.  This important aspect of geology speaks about the formation and internal structure of crystals.  Instinctively, when we hear about crystals, we think of precious stones such as diamonds and rubies.  We must nonetheless not forget other types of minerals whose crystals are much smaller, as is the case with intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks, for example.

Culinary arts seem like a particularly concrete approach to get the student to understand crystallography.  During the course of this activity, the student must prepare two kinds of candy, very distinctive in terms of their crystallography.  Rock candy and fudge are indeed formed from crystals whose dimensions differ greatly.

Overview : Crystals
Student Booket : Crystals