Sponsored by the
CHEMICAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA'S
NATIONAL CHEMISTRY WEEK
Here is the 1998 Full REPORT
(Where you find out what worked,
what didn't,
what we have in store for next year,
and who we should thank.)
Here you will learn how this year's contest is being conducted.
STEP ONE - REGISTER
This contest is open to any high school student in Canada
Contact your Local Area Coordinator to let him/her know that you are participating.
If you are unsure of who your coordinator is, contact The Wizard
(also known as Dr. Chris Young) at:
E-mail youngjc@em.agr.ca or
Phone 519 767-5012 or
FAX 519 837-9472 or
Backup E-mail thewiz@sentex.net
STEP TWO - GET YOUR STARTING MATERIAL
This year we will be using potassium sodium tartrate (also known as Rochelle Salt) kindly donated by Anachemia Science.
To order your material, call Anachemia directly at 1-800-361-0209 and ask for Part Number M10373-500g Potassium Sodium Tartrate - lab grade. They will ship 500 g of Rochelle salt directly to you FOR FREE!
NOTE: Only teachers may order material, which must be shipped to a school.
If you need more material (for possible reason, see below) order it at the same time. Note however that you will be billed later for the extra ($11.40/package - the suppliers cost).
STEP THREE - PREPARE YOUR CRYSTAL(s)
You are free to use any procedure you like to prepare crystals. For your convenience, suggested seed crystal growing procedures followed by detailed instructions are provided here.
Also included is background information on crystals and general approaches to growing crystals.
RULE 1
The MAXIMUM AMOUNT of starting material that may be used for each given crystal is LIMITED to 150 g. The 500 g supplied is sufficient for preparation of three crystals.
However there is no limit to the number of students asssigned to a team, nor is there a limit to the number of teams permitted at a given school.
RULE 2
So that all students across the country have an equal preparation time, crystal production must conclude within five weeks after receipt of starting material.
STEP 4 - HAVE YOUR CRYSTAL(s) JUDGED
Make arrangements with your Local Coordinator for your best crystal(s) to be judged.
Each school is encouraged to submit only one crystal to the Local Coordinator. It is recognized that where several crystals from a school may be of roughly equivalent over-all quality, and it is difficult to make a choice, it may be necessary to submit several crystals. Of these several crystals from a particular school, only one may be the "official" crystal to be considered for all prize(s) awarded locally.
Nominally, we would like to have the crystals judged early in National Chemistry Week (October 18-24, 1998), so that the winners can be displayed later in the week.
However, there may be unforseen delays in getting starting material to schools. Then, at the discretion of the Local Coordinator, judging may have to take place at a later time.
In November, the best crystal from each Local Area will be sent for judging at the National Level. A Trophy and cash prizes are given to the students preparing the best crystals.
NEED MORE STARTING MATERIAL?
Obviously, the 500 g of starting material supplied will be insufficient where there are more than three teams at a school. If a school wishes greater participation, then the school will have to obtain more material on their own.
This can be done several ways: