The national crystal growing competition is a fun hands-on activity for individuals or teams of high school students to compete in (teachers and lab technicians can also enter a separate competition). Participants will learn about the growth of single crystals, with the opportunity to win prizes for submitting the best specimens.
Details of the contest are found on this website:
The full rules, as well as a crystal growing guide, are found in the “Handbook” link found on that page.
Teachers and students are encouraged to participate in this exciting competition. To register, please contact Dr. Jamie Ritch at 204.786.9730 or j.ritch@uwinnipeg.ca and indicate your intent to participate.
Each school must also order the chemical to be used (this year it is copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate). Boreal Science (part of Avantor) will take orders up to October 4. Charges will be $20.23 to schools for each 500 g bottle (item number 470300-856, quote number 8602715420), and must be paid for by credit card. Taxes and transportation fee (ground delivery) will be added according to the destination, which must be a school.
The crystal growth period is limited to 5 weeks, from October 7 to November 11; after that point crystals are submitted to me by Nov 21, and regional evaluation will be completed by November 28. The top crystals will be sent on to the national level competition for final judging.
If you have any questions about this competition, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jamie Ritch by phone or email.