IUCr crystal growing competition for schoolchildren

After an enforced break of three years, we are delighted to announce that the IUCr Crystal growing competition for schoolchildren is back!

The competition is open to all schoolchildren (maximum age 18) and aims to introduce students to the exciting, challenging and sometimes frustrating world of growing crystals. This initiative was originally launched in 2014 as part of the celebrations for the International Year of Crystallography.

The winners of the 2023 edition of the IUCr Crystal growing competition will be those who most successfully convey their experiences to the panel of judges in a video report. Each contribution should clearly show or mention the experimental work carried out by the participants during the growing of their single crystals (compounds and methods used are free of choice). Furthermore the contribution should reflect in a creative way on the experimental work and theoretical background and/or applications.

Videos submitted to local competitions during 2022 may be also submitted to the IUCr competition.

The winning contributions in each category will receive 'Young crystal growers' certificates and medals.

Important dates

Closing date for submissions: 19 November 2023

Notification of winners and launch of 2024 edition: 29 January 2024

For more information, please visit the competition web page.