The Royal Australian Chemical Institute, ACT is conducting its 2014 Crystal Growing Competition
for Primary and Junior Secondary School students.
Why be involved?
Do you want to have
fun with science? Would you like to do some simple chemical experiments? Then enter the ACT/RACI Crystal Growing Competition
and learn all about growing beautiful crystals.
Crystals are everywhere. Just think of our daily
lives. Sugar and salt are crystals. LCD computer and TV screens have many tiny crystals inside.
Where
else can you find crystals? How about your classroom?
If you enter this competition, you can create
your very own crystals.
Your school can order Potash Alum (potassium aluminium sulphate) from
the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.
What's involved?
The aim of the competition is
to grow your very own crystals in six weeks.
There are four divisions:
- K - Year 3 growing from potash alum
- Years 4 - 6 growing from potash alum
- Years 7 - 8 growing from potash alum
- an Open Division growing any crystal.
The crystals will be grown over six weeks in term 2 (28 April- July 1st). You must send your crystals to Dr
Asharf Ghanem, University of Canberra, building 3, office D41, 2601 Canberra, ACT by July 4th.
Crystals
will be judged on size, shape and clarity. Results will be annound during the National Science Week (August 2014).
To celebrate the International Year of Crystallography (IYCr http://www.iycr2014.org/) You are also invited to enter the NATIONAL CRYSTAL
GROWING COMPETITION
If you win in the ACT Crystal growing
competition, your crystal will compete with others at the National level
· One winning crystal and one runner up to be chosen for each division·
Judging to be of actual
crystals (no photographs) to be sent to NSW-RACI office to arrive no later than Friday 31st October 2014· Judges to be crystallographers nominated by SCANZ Results to be announced on Monday 10th
November. Winners to receive trophies and framed certificates; runners up to receive framed certificates
How to register?
1. Send an expression of interest
to crystalgrowingcompetition@yahoo.com.au
2. Purchase the Alum (if needed) from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI):
3. Send you crystals, reports
and list of students involved by July 1st to Dr Ashraf Ghanem, University of Canberra, building 3, office D41,
2601 ACT
Alum Costs 2014
(postage and handing inclusive) 0.5kg $30
1kg $50
1.5kg $70
2kg $90
For orders larger than 2kg, simply add $20 for
each extra 0.5kg.
The alum will normally be sent by surface mail to arrive by the
first week in Term 2.
Entries may be by class, team or an individual but must be registered (send
an email to crystalgrowingcompetition@yahoo.com.au).
Cheques payable to RACI ACT Branch, Mary Pappa,Finance Officer-
Royal Australian Chemical Institute, 1/21 Vale Street, North Melbourne, VIC 3051 T.
+61 (0)3 9328 2033 Email: mary.pappa@raci.org.au