Alabama Crystal Competition FAQ's
What does the competition involve
?
Fifth and sixth grade students from any school in Alabama grow
alum crystals in their classroom. The crystals, together with a
short written report, are submitted for judging. Prizes are
awarded for the best crystals. See photo of students growing a crystal here.
Who has won the competition in recent years
The first Alabama Crystal Growing Competition was held in 1995.
It was a local competition involving schools in Montgomery and
surrounding counties. The contest went statewide in 1996. In
the statewide competitions, the winning
students and teachers have come from Brent, Prattville, Carbon Hill,
Panola, New Brockton, Tuscambia, Montgomery, and
Aliceville school systems.
How do students enter?
Each teacher decides if he or she wants students in a class to
enter the competition. Any number of students from a class may
participate. The teacher should send an email to
nthomas@mail.aum.edu and provide the following information:
teacher's name, contact telephone number or email, the name and city of the school, and
the approximate number of students who will be growing crystals.
This helps us keep track of how many students are involved. Teachers are under no obligation
to complete the project.
For more information contact Dr. Nick Thomas through mail, email, or telephone at the
following:
Dr. Nick Thomas
Crystal Competition
Department of Physical Sciences
Auburn University at Montgomery
P.O. Box 244023
Montgomery, Alabama 36124 - 4023
| | | | |
| | |
Office Telephone: (334) 244-3327
TDD users may call (334)244-3800
E-mail:
nthomas@aum.edu
|
When does the 2007 competition
begin?
NOTE : The competition is Underway !
Deadline for submitting crystals is
Students can begin growing crystals immediately. A detailed description of how
to grow crystals and materials needed can be
found here.
Teachers must submit the class crystals by the date specified.
How do you grow alum crystals?
It's easy! Just
follow this link for instructions which can be
downloaded and copied.
How do teachers get alum?
Alum is available from drug stores and some supermarkets.
It may found in the spice section at most grocery stores and is used in pickling recipes as a preservative.
It can usually be ordered in
1 lb. quantities from drug stores, at a cost of approximately $6.00 to $7.00 per
pound. Chemical supply companies are also a source of alum, but
will generally only supply chemicals to school addresses, not
individuals. Additionally, the costs associated with purchasing
from chemical supply companies are often significantly
greater.
What are the prizes?
Crystals will be judged on their size, symmetry, and
transparency. The school submitting the best crystal will
receive $500.00 worth of science equipment, to be selected by the teacher
of the student submitting the best crystal.
Second and Third Place schools will each receive prizes $250 worth of science equipment.
All equipment will be ordered by AUM from Fisher Scientific Company.
The top three students submitting the best crystals will also receive a book on crystal growing.
All students receiving awards will be invited to the AUM campus (together
with their teacher and/or parents ) to be presented with their awards. However, for schools that are located
some distance from Montgomery, we can ship awards to schools.
Can my school get publicity for this project?
Quite possibly! Once your students begin growing crystals, contact Nick Thomas at AUM.
He will then contact your local newspaper which may send a reporter to your school to write a story on the project.
Acknowledements of Support :
We are very grateful to the Air Force Association for being a
sponsor of the crystal growing competition.
Additionally, we would like to thank the many teachers, students,
and parents for their interest and participation in the
competitions.