Crystal Growing Competition

Looking for a fun and educational learning opportunity for primary and secondary school students interested in chemistry? Why not take part in the RACI Crystal Growing Competition!

Our Crystal Growing Competition is a great way to have fun with science, and take part in simple chemical experiments. The process is safe and simple, and is designed to encourage students to develop an interest in Chemistry from a young age. Students can participate as individuals, in small groups or class groups.

How does the Competition work?

Purchase your crystal growing kits during term 1 and grow your crystals during term 2. State winners are announced during term 3 and national winners are announced during term 4.

• Who can enter?
  Entry is open to all students Prep/Foundation - Year 12. We encourage all students to enter and have made the competition accessible to those students studying remotely. Entries are accepted through schools, science clubs, distance education, home schooling, groups of friends, or individuals with an interest in science. The crystal grower must be supervised by an adult aged 18 or over who will register their entry or entries into the competition.
• Entrants can submit as many or as few crystals as they choose. The top crystals in each Division and Category in each state will be eligible to be entered for the National Finals.
• Prizes. All students will receive an official digital RACI Crystal Growing Competition certificate of participation. All national level winners receive a RACI Crystal Growing Competition trophy for their school. 

Purchase your Crystal Growing Kit 

We've made it easy to enter the Crystal Growing Competition by offering three different sizes of crystal growing kits. Each kit contains Alum (Aluminium Potassium Sulfate Dodecahydrate), A3 poster/s, 'How to grow crystals' Factsheet/s, filter papers and icypole sticks.

• Large: The large kit can make 10 large crystals and includes up to 10 crystals entered in the competition.
• Medium: The medium kit can make 5 large crystals and includes up to 5 crystals entered in the competition.
• Single: The single kit can make 1 large crystal and includes 1 crystal entry in the competition.

If you're a school that likes to purchase your own Alum, we've got an entry option for you too. 

Buy your Crystal Growing kit here.

Submit your Crystals to your state contact 

Closing date for entries to be posted is the end of term 2 in your state or territory. We do allow up to three weeks for postal delays so please let us know if you are having any issues.

Separate arrangements are in place for SA*

• ACT and NSW

  • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 30 June 2023 to: Robyn Lewis, RACI NSW Branch, address to follow.

  • For more information or to ask any questions, please email Robyn Lewis.

   

  QLD 

  • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 23 June 2023 to: Pam Devine (Chantrell), RACI QLD Branch, PO Box 406, Everton Park, QLD, 4053, Australia.

  • For more information or to ask any questions, please email Pam Devine (Chantrell).

   

  NT

  • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 23 June 2023 to: Att: Russell Dempster - Marrara Christian College - PO Box 84, Karama, NT 0813, Australia.

  • For more information or to ask any questions, please email;Russell Dempster.

   

  SA

  • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 7 July 2023 to: Hannah McCarthy, RACI SA Branch, PO BOX 252 GLENELG SA 5045, Australia.

  • If entry to the Oliphant Awards is required please see here. This is a separate competition to RACI.

  • For more information or to ask any questions, please email Hannah McCarthy.

   

  • TAS

    • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 7 July 2023 to: RACI Tasmanian Branch Coordinator, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 75, Hobart, TAS, 7001.  

    • For more information or to ask any questions, please email Melissa Johnson.

  • VIC

    • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 23 June 2023 to: Melissa Johnson, RACI VIC Branch, 1/21 Vale Street, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051, Australia.

    • For more information or to ask any questions, please email Melissa Johnson.

  • WA

    • Please carefully package your completed crystals and post them by 30 June 2023 to: Dr Dino Spagnoli, The University of Western Australia
      School of Molecular Sciences, M310, 
      Perth, WA, 6009

    • For more information or to ask any questions, please email Hannah McCarthy ([email protected]).

2021 National Competition winners

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2021 National Crystal Growing Competition. We're very excited to announce our national 2021 Crystal Growing winners:

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