The Chemical Institute of Canada’s annual National Crystal Growing Competition took place over a five-week growing period from September to October last year. High school students worked on trying to grow the biggest or best quality single crystal. For the 2015 competition, students crystallized either aluminum sulfate or mixed salt alum. The event gives students the opportunity to see how different crystals grown from two substances originally listed as the same starting substance could provide different results.
All nationally submitted crystals were alum crystals and the national winners were announced this past January. Awards included a cash prize for the school and a certificate for the participants.
Best Overall Crystals
- First place: Ilias Tabiri and Esteban Rostaing of École secondaire de la Cité, Québec City.
- Second place: Amelia Meredith, Maddie Cathcart, Carl Backmon and Andrew Jovanovich of Northern Secondary School, Toronto.
- Third place: Fateham Ghfari of Harry Ainley High School, Edmonton.
Best Quality Crystal
Christine Lam, Amelia Ellis and Kiu Fear of Northern Secondary School, Toronto.
Best Crystal from Teacher
Sophie Pelletier and Annick Bégin of École secondaire de la Cité, Québec City.