THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN CHEMICAL
INSTITUTE Inc
2009 Crystal Growing Competition
Students submitting crystals of superior quality will receive Highly Commended Awards, whilst the winning students will receive a trophy for their efforts
Useful links
2009 Crystal Growing Competition
Latest News: Entries
will now be accepted until July 5th
Crystals are everywhere. Just think
of our daily lives, sugar and salt are crystals, and the only reason
LCD computer and television screens work is because of the many tiny
crystals inside.
Where else can you find crystals? How about your classroom! If you enter the RACI Crystal Growing Competition then you can create your own crystals within six weeks and then have a chance to have these crystals judged and displayed during National Science Week.
What does the competition involve?
The competition is aimed at Primary and Junior Secondary school students with 3 ‘closed’ divisions: K-Year 3, Years 4-6 and Years 7-8. Also there is an Open Division for students from K-10 in which entrants may grow any crystal of their choice.
The aim in the 3 ‘closed’ divisions is to grow the best possible crystals of Potash Alum (also called Alum or potassium aluminum sulphate) in 5 weeks. Crystals will not just be judged on size, but on shape and clarity also. The winning crystals in each division will receive certificates and winning schools receive a trophy.
Why be involved?
Do you want to have fun with Science? Would you like to do some simple chemistry experiments with your students? Then enter the NSW Crystal Growing Competition and learn all about growing beautiful crystals. And in fulfillment of the NSW syllabus syllabus K-6 (to develop in students competence, confidence and responsibility in their interactions with science and technology leading to:…..an enthusiasm for further learning of science and technology.) 7-10 Syllabus (to provide learning experiences through which students will: acquire scientific knowledge and skills and develop understanding about phenomena within and beyond their experience)
When does it take place?
In NSW it takes place in Term Two of the school year
Crystals must be sent for judging to the RACI (address below) by Friday 19 June 2009 and the competition winners will be announced during National Chemistry Week 2009 (July 27-31). Since they should be grown for a period of 5 weeks, any alum which has been ordered from the RACI will be sent to schools by the start of Term 2.
Entering the Competition
To assist teachers in entering students in the Crystal Growing competition, we can supply can potash alum at a cost of $15.00 per 0.5 kg. (Please request only in multiples of 0.5 kg)
Postage and handling of alum: $7.50 for 0.5kg alum
$10 for 1kg alum
$12.50 for 1.5kg alum
$15 for 2 or more kg alum
The alum will
normally be sent by surface mail to arrive by the start of Term 2.
Entries may be by class, team or an individual but must be registered by a teacher (or parent if the entry is from a homeschool).
$7.50 per school, if they are entering between 1-5 crystals for judging
$15 per school, allows the school to send an unlimited number of crystals for judging
Click here for the Entry Form
Prizes
All Students who enter the
competition will be rewarded for their participation (ccertificates)Where else can you find crystals? How about your classroom! If you enter the RACI Crystal Growing Competition then you can create your own crystals within six weeks and then have a chance to have these crystals judged and displayed during National Science Week.
What does the competition involve?
The competition is aimed at Primary and Junior Secondary school students with 3 ‘closed’ divisions: K-Year 3, Years 4-6 and Years 7-8. Also there is an Open Division for students from K-10 in which entrants may grow any crystal of their choice.
The aim in the 3 ‘closed’ divisions is to grow the best possible crystals of Potash Alum (also called Alum or potassium aluminum sulphate) in 5 weeks. Crystals will not just be judged on size, but on shape and clarity also. The winning crystals in each division will receive certificates and winning schools receive a trophy.
Why be involved?
Do you want to have fun with Science? Would you like to do some simple chemistry experiments with your students? Then enter the NSW Crystal Growing Competition and learn all about growing beautiful crystals. And in fulfillment of the NSW syllabus syllabus K-6 (to develop in students competence, confidence and responsibility in their interactions with science and technology leading to:…..an enthusiasm for further learning of science and technology.) 7-10 Syllabus (to provide learning experiences through which students will: acquire scientific knowledge and skills and develop understanding about phenomena within and beyond their experience)
When does it take place?
In NSW it takes place in Term Two of the school year
Crystals must be sent for judging to the RACI (address below) by Friday 19 June 2009 and the competition winners will be announced during National Chemistry Week 2009 (July 27-31). Since they should be grown for a period of 5 weeks, any alum which has been ordered from the RACI will be sent to schools by the start of Term 2.
Entering the Competition
To assist teachers in entering students in the Crystal Growing competition, we can supply can potash alum at a cost of $15.00 per 0.5 kg. (Please request only in multiples of 0.5 kg)
Postage and handling of alum: $7.50 for 0.5kg alum
$10 for 1kg alum
$12.50 for 1.5kg alum
$15 for 2 or more kg alum
Entries may be by class, team or an individual but must be registered by a teacher (or parent if the entry is from a homeschool).
To help cover costs, there is an entry fee
of
$7.50 per school, if they are entering between 1-5 crystals for judging
$15 per school, allows the school to send an unlimited number of crystals for judging
Click here for the Entry Form
Prizes
Students submitting crystals of superior quality will receive Highly Commended Awards, whilst the winning students will receive a trophy for their efforts
Useful links