Stellar Spheres
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Materials
| Chemical Name | Amount Used |
| Sodium alginate solution | 1 gram in 100 mL of water |
| Calcium lactate solution | 2 grams in 150 mL of water |
| DI water | 150 mL |
| Food coloring | 1 drop |
| Edible glitter | optional |
| Equipment Name | Number of Items |
| 50 mL graduated cylinder | 1 |
| 8 oz cups | 2 |
| Slotted spoon or netting | 1 |
| Scale | 1 |
| Syringe | 1 |
| 3 oz cup | 1 |
| Stirrer | 1 |
Cup 1
In the 3 oz cup collect the prepared sodium alginate solution with the food coloring and glitter.
Label the cup with number 1.
Cup 2
Measure 2 grams of calcium lactate in an 8 oz cup using the scale. Add 150 mL of water and stir until all the calcium lactate dissolves. Label the cup with the number 2 and place the net inside the cup.
Cup 3
Measure 150 mL of water in an 8 oz cup and label it with the number 3.
Experiment
- Fill your syringe with the sodium alginate gel from cup 1 and add it to cup 2 either as droplets or other shapes while submerging the tip.
- Wait at least 45 seconds, then use the net to lift the shapes and drops out of cup 2 and transfer them into the water in cup 3 to wash off extra calcium lactate.
- Once rinsed, fish out your shapes and drops, and experiment with them! 😊