The National Crystal Growing Competition continues to be a popular event of National Chemistry Week each year. High school and Cégep students have approximately one month (October–November) to grow a single crystal of a predetermined material.
In 2017, the crystals were made of aluminum potassium sulfate (alum). Crystals are first judged regionally, with the top ones from each region sent for national judging, and are assessed based on their size and quality. The top crystal this year was 19.013 grams with a quality of 6l3, scoring 41.0%. Congratulations to all who participated!
The Toronto CIC Local Section received impressive crystals for the 2017 National Crystal Growing Competition. Photo credit: Molly M. H. Sung
The 2017 national winners are:
Best Overall Crystals
First place: Emily Campbell, Kaylyn Munn and Madison Gilk of Central New Brunswick Academy, New Bandon, NB.
Second place: Alexandre Perron of École Mgr-Labrie, Havre-St-Pierre, QC
Third place: Carly Jou-Ter Woort and Sydney Fuller of Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School, Kitchener, ON
Best Quality Crystal
Jordon Pépin of Polyvalente des Abénaquis, St-Prosper, QC
Best Crystal from Teacher
Heua Baccam of École Secondaire Rivière-du-Loup, Rivière-du-Loup, QC