By Mr Mitchell Joyce-Griggs, Science Teacher

Several Radford College students, their families, myself and Mr Graeme Poleweski (Laboratory Technician) attended the Australian National University’s (ANU) Research School of Chemistry (RSC) for the award presentation ceremony of the annual Crystal Growing Competition. This event is organised and judged by representatives from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

This provided our students with the opportunity to meet with other keen science students, luminaries and academics from the RSC and RACI. Students had the opportunity to tour an active X-ray crystallography lab, learn about the fundamental nature of crystals and how these properties enable us to learn about their structure using X-rays. They also found out more about how crystallography unlocks potential insights into diverse applications – from discovering new pharmaceuticals to capturing carbon from the atmosphere.

Congratulations to all of our winners:

• Winners (Years 9 and 10): Nicholas and Charli
• Runner-up (Years 9 and 10): Tharun
• Winners (Years 7 and 8): Emily, Amelie and Josey

Thank you to Lesli Findlay of the RACI for her tireless work to make this opportunity available; to all involved at RACI and ANU’s RSC; and to our own Mr Poleweski for putting in so much effort to ensure the smooth running of our crystal growing.