One way to study something is to try to replicate it. Young scientists do just that as they use solutions to recreate mineral structures on a dwarf planet. They make solutions with different types of salt, evaporate them, and observe the results.

Concepts

dwarf planets, saltwater, evaporation, solutions

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Instructional Ideas

• Vary the concentrations of salt in solution for each group and compare the pattern after evaporation

Classroom Considerations

• An understanding of solution and evaporation are helpful
• Requires a specific set of materials for the activity

Pros

• Includes background information to provide motivation and relevance to the lesson
• Offers assessment options

Cons

• None