Winning crystals

Blue crystals.2014 Best Overall Crystals for Chemical Institute of Canada National Crystal Growing Competition. Cupric sulfate pentahydrate (bluestone) was used. (The coin is a 25-cent piece, 24 mm in diameter.)

Best Overall Crystals (shown above)

  • First place: Tess vanZevengergen, Holy Cross Secondary School, Kingston ON (1)
  • Second place: Felix Truong, Harry Ainlay High School, Edmonton AB (2)
  • Third place: Mia Harle and Cindy Tran, Fellowes High School,
    Pembroke ON (3)

A blue crystal.Best Quality Crystal (right)

  • Lenno Liu, Southridge High School, Surrey BC

Best Crystal from Teacher (not shown)

  • Aura Pombert, Harry Ainlay High School, Edmonton AB

Let this be the year you take the challenge of having your students grow crystals! Crystal growing is a fun, hands-on experience as well as an exciting competition. Schools are provided with materials and instructions on how to grow crystals and the objective is to grow the biggest and highest quality single crystal. There are National Crystal Growing Competitions in Canada, US and Australia. [Let us know if there are other national competitions out there.] Go online to find registration information and order the starting materials.

In Canada, materials are typically available to order in early September. The first bottle is free but you will need to pay for shipping. In 2015, the crystal growing period will run from October 5 to November 9. The deadline for submitting your crystal to your regional coordinator for judging is November 23, 2015.

Upcoming school year National Crystal Growing competitions