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2016 Wisconsin Crystal Growing Competition Result Report

Organizers: Chemistry Department, University of Wisconsin–Madison Contact: Dr. Ilia A. Guzei, Director of Crystallography, iguzei@chem.wisc.edu Contest timeline: March 1 – May 20, 2016

Executive summary • The 3rd Wisconsin Crystal Growing Contest, the largest crystal-growing contest in the USA, took place during

March–May 2016; • Teachers and parents praised the contest organization and its scientific impact in the classroom (comments in

the Testimonial section); • Over 600 students from 23 high schools, 12 middle schools, and home schools participated formed 232 teams

that submitted 108 crystals for evaluation by 11 judges (more crystals were grown as only top crystals from each school were sent in);

• Over $1800 in prizes were awarded to 11 winning teams comprised of 27 students; • Participants were invited to spend a day on the University of Madison–Wisconsin campus that included guided

tours of the Chemistry Department (teaching lab, research labs, X-ray diffraction facility, and glass-blowing shop), the Geology Museum, and of UW–Madison campus; participants’ comments were very positive;

• The winners were honored at an award ceremony at the Chemistry Department that featured lectures and demonstrations by the faculty, staff, and students;

• The contest was run at no costs to schools – crystallization materials were supplied to all schools that signed up for the contest and requested them;

• The crystals are currently on display in the Chemistry Department; • The contest was covered in several on-line and paper publications as well as in a number of oral presentations

at various venues.

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Sponsors

The organizers appreciate moral and financial support of the sponsors of our 3rd state-wide Wisconsin Crystal Growing Contest. Without sponsors’ contributions the contest would not have been possible. Below is a list of our 2016 sponsors that include three international scientific societies, several international companies with offices in Madison, WI, and companies from other states. 1. American Chemical Society, WI Section 2. American Crystallographic Association (New York) 3. Bruker AXS (Wisconsin) 4. Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center (England) 5. Covance (Wisconsin) 6. Crystallographic Resources Inc. (Michigan) 7. The Evjue Foundation (Wisconsin) 8. Hestia Labs (Wisconsin) 9. Rigaku Oxford Diffraction (Texas) 10. SigmaMillipore (Wisconsin) 11. UW–Madison Chemistry Department (Wisconsin) 12. UW–Madison Geology Museum (Wisconsin) The sponsors have been acknowledged throughout the contest as follows: 1. On the web site (http://xray.chem.wisc.edu/WICGC_2016.html) and contest-related materials such as Contest

Handbook, T-shirts, and posters; 2. At the Frontiers in Structural Biology of Membrane Protein & Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (Huntsville,

AL) where Dr. Guzei gave an invited talk on March 12, 2016; 3. At a Crystal Exhibit at the Madison Children’s Museum during February–May, 2016; 4. At Covance in Madison during a promotional event and talk on March 24, 2016; 5. At the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers annual conference in La Crosse, WI, April 21-23, 2016; 6. At the WI Crystal Growing Contest Award Ceremony at the Chemistry Department of University of

Wisconsin–Madison on May 20, 2016; 7. At the Madison Gem and Mineral Club meeting where Dr. Guzei gave an invited talk on May 24, 2016.

Figure 1. Promotional T-shirts featuring the contest logo on the front and the sponsors on the back.

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Individual contributors

The organizers are thankful to a large number of colleagues who were integral to the success of the event: Ariel Andrea, Dr. Rachel Bain , Dr. Cheri Barta, Dr. Matt Bowman, Mike Bradley, Dr. Allen Clauss, Dr. Amanda Corcos, Tracy Drier, Libby Dowdall, Bob Duessler, Dr. Brian Esselman, Bruce Goldade, Kristi Heming, Prof. Bob McMahon (Chair), Prof. Betty and John Moore, Jeff Nielsen, Vanessa Orr, Lucas Oxtoby, Dennis Reece, Dr. Matt Sanders, Cara Schwarz, Dr. Bob Shanks, Travis Sunderland, Dr. Martha Vestling, Maria Zdanvoskaia.

Participation

The 3rd crystal-growing competition among the Wisconsin high school students ages 15-18, middle school students ages 11-14, and home-schooled youths has been successfully conducted. The contest, which perfectly aligns with the Wisconsin Idea, inspired participation of over 600 students (272 teams) and teachers from 23 high schools, 12 middle schools, and several home-schooled children from across the state. Students from six middle schools and seven high schools received prizes at an award ceremony held on May 20, 2016 at the Chemistry Building of University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Figure 2. The Wisconsin map marking the locations of the participating schools: Left – 23 high schools; Right – 12 middle schools.

Figure 3a. Blair-Taylor Middle School Students left to right: Tyler Thompson, Garrison Armitage, Steven Ekern.

Figure 3b. Blair-Taylor High School Students left to right: Xavier Cornejo, Preston Guttenberg, Josh Baker, Bailey Anderson, Deven Lien.

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Figure 4. Contest related activities in Hartford Union High School.

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Figure 5. Students at Stratford St Joseph School.

Figure 6a. A crystal exhibit at the Madison Children’s Museum.

Figure 6b. Visitors at the Madison Children’s Museum are exploring models of sodium chloride and appreciate crystals.

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Results There were two simultaneous contests, one for middle school students and teachers, the other for high school students and teachers. The main goal of the contests was to grow large, well-formed crystals of two inorganic compounds: middle school students crystallized colorless alum (potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate, KAl(SO4)2·12H2O); high school participants worked with blue vitriol (copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate, CuSO4·5H2O).

Figure 8a. The winning crystals of the 2016 Crystal Growing Contest. The middle school students crystallized colorless alum, whereas high school participants worked with bluestone.

Figure 8b. “Sunken treasure”, the top contest-inspired artwork among the high school students.

The crystals were evaluated for size and quality by a learned 11-member committee comprised of chemists, crystallographers, museum manager, and a chemistry graduate student.

The judges included the following enthusiasts and representatives of the sponsoring organizations: Dr. Galina Bikzhanova (Covance) Dr. Matt Bowman (American Chemical Society) Ms. Sue Byram (Bruker AXS) Dr. Lee Daniels (Rigaku Oxford Diffraction) Mr. Tim Dreyer (Madison Children’s Museum) Dr. Jim Fettinger (University of California–Davis) Dr. Dan Frankel (Bruker AXS) Dr. Ilia Guzei (UW–Madison and American Crystallographic Association) Dr. Paula Piccoli (Pharmaceutical Product Development) Dr. Nathan Reynolds (MilliporeSigma) Ms. Anastasiya Vinokur (UW-Madison)

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Figure 9a. Judges evaluate crystals and artwork submissions. Figure 10. Departmental crystal exhibit.

Another part of the competition was a crystal-inspired art contest. There were two submissions from high school students and seven from middle-schoolers. The winning entry “Sunken treasure” is shown in Figure 8b.

The participants submitted 108 crystals that took the committee over three hours to evaluate. The judges noted a very high quality of submissions – and observed that the quality improves every year. Overall, there were 11 winning teams comprised of 27 people in the crystal growing and art contests. All winners were recognized with certificates, books, T-shirts, and cash prizes. The best crystals and drawings are on display in the Chemistry Department (Figure 10).

Figure 11. The Crystal Growing Contest winners who were able to attend the award ceremony.

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2016 Contest winners Middle schools

Best Overall Crystal 1st prize: Brittany Kaatz, Brielle Behnke, Enrique Botello, Berlin MS, Berlin 2nd prize: Nikki Messick, Shattuck MS, Neenah 3rd prize: Abbi Jacobson, Reese Gilbertson, Sami Huff, Whitehall Memorial Schools, Whitehall

Best Quality Crystal Kameron Hughes, John Long MS, Grafton

Best Teacher’s Crystal Lisa Bowler, John Long MS, Grafton

Best crystal-inspired art 1st prize: Mia Egan-Alvarado, Central MS, Hartford 2nd prize: Nikki Messick, Shattuck MS, Neenah 3rd prize: Miranda Schneider, St. Joseph Catholic School, Stratford

High schools

Best Overall Crystal 1st prize: Kevin Kollmann, Fond du Lac HS, Fond du Lac 2nd prize: Brandon Rakestraw, Matthew Amundson, Blair-Taylor HS, Blair 3rd prize: Youhe Gao, Barbara Hanna, Yunyao Zhu, Edgewood HS of the Sacred Heart, Madison

Best Quality Crystal Allison Kaelin, Oshkosh HS, Oshkosh

Best Teacher’s Crystal Jim Prosser, Fond du Lac HS, Fond du Lac

Highest Aesthetic Value Crystal Olivia Burkholz, Andrea O'Bryon, Kylee Anderson, Hartford Union HS, Hartford

Best crystal-inspired art 1st prize: Aliyah John, Homeschooled, Kenosha 2nd prize: Skylar Rodenbeck, Trenton Miller, Matthew Jones, Shawano HS, Shawano

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Figure 12. Contest participants are taking a tour of the Molecular Structure Laboratory in the Chemistry Department. Dr. Dan Frankel (Bruker AXS) demonstrates a single-crystal X-ray diffractometer to middle- and high-school students.

In addition to growing crystals, the students were motivated to learn about solution chemistry, compound solubility, purification, crystallization, and optical microscopy. In the process the students adopted an advanced vocabulary and learned to work in teams, keep detailed records of their progress, communicate with their teammates, and follow good laboratory practices.

All participants of this important scientific outreach activity were invited to spend a day in Madison after the contest. The activities included tours of the UW–Madison Geology museum, UW–Madison campus, Chemistry Department, and the Molecular Structure Laboratory. The celebration ended with an award ceremony that featured several high-profile speakers. Department chair Prof. Robert McMahon welcomed the visitors and described the significant role of the department on campus. Prof. John Moore presented a lecture with chemical demonstrations to illustrate what it is like to be an undergraduate student in this department. Prof. Moore’s co-presenter this year was Luke Oxtoby, a sophomore in the Chemistry department who is involved in the undergraduate outreach program SPICE (Students Participating In Chemical Education). Dr. Paula Piccoli described the Crystal Growing Contest details, its significance, and offered a professional’s insight into crystal growing techniques. In the end Dr. Ilia Guzei awarded the prizes to the contest victors. More than 70 students, teachers, and parents attended the award ceremony.

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Crystal Growing Crystal Contest in the news The Contest has been covered in several news stories and described in oral presentations.

1. On the University of Wisconsin–Madison news web site May 28, 2016. “Crystal growing contest gives middle, high school students a peek inside UW-Madison chemistry department” by David Tenenbaum. See more at: http://news.wisc.edu/crystal-growing-contest-gives-middle-high-school-students-a-peek-inside-uw-madison-chemistry-department/#sthash.E00JYPK0.dpuf

2. In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, article “Students’ futures crystallize at UW” by Kathleen Gallagher on May 28, 2016.

3. In the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper by Doell Dickmann. June 2, 2016. http://www.thenorthwestern.com/story/news/education/2016/06/01/local-students-win-crystal-growing-contest/85252720/

4. The contest was advertised on several web sites, promoted with several talks (vide supra), and featured at the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers Conference in April 2016. These activities informed the public about the crystal growing contest, crystallography, and education at the UW-Madison Chemistry Department. The contest web site provided the information necessary to register for the competition, to learn about crystals and crystal growing techniques. There were links to the related national and international events.

Teachers’ Testimonials Teachers and parents emphasized the importance of the contest in the classroom and described the impact it had on the teaching process in the following statements.

The “day” the first three comments refer to is the Award Ceremony day.

“Just wanted to send you a thank you for all you have done to offer a fantastic experience for the students, and of course us as teachers. I know it must take a lot of extra time and effort organizing and preparing for an event like this. It was a wonderful experience, and although I didn't know exactly how our team was going to do, I'm so glad that Nikki got a chance to enter and place. She had a fabulous day and is already talking of taking the next step to the high school contest. Love the addition of the art category. I think things are really going to get interesting next year.” Dean Doersch, Shattuck Middle School, Neenah, WI.

“The crystal growing contest was a wonderful experience for the kids! They were all very excited to "check" the progress of their creations! Overall, the day was fantastic and I will FOR SURE grow crystals for the competition again! WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE!” Cindy Smits, Central Middle School, Hartford, WI.

“As part of the homeschool community we loved being part of the Crystal Growing Competition. Sometimes it is hard to find events like this that are open to us. My children learned so much from the experience. Not only did they learn to grow crystals but it was a lesson in perseverance and time management. Thank you so much for allowing our participation. My children plan on down by more research on crystals before next year's competition. [The award ceremony day] was wonderful; the children and I really enjoyed everything.” Nicole John, mother of a home-schooled winner, Kenosha, WI.

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“Thank you again Dr. Guzei for not only organizing but continuing to support this amazing educational experience. While I have seen so much student enthusiasm and intellectual growth for this activity, I was not prepared for the impact this has for teachers. Rarely do science teachers get the opportunity to perfect their craft from an expert in the science field. Teaching is an art and a science that always gets better with time and the right mentors. Opening up the competition for the middle schools helped me grow as an educator because I was so excited about this contest that I actively promoted it to our local feeder schools. Through this, I was able to come in to their 7th grade classes and teach them about the process and help them start their crystals. When they were done growing, we brought our own high school students down to help teach the crystallization process in small groups. I don't think I have ever seen a more engaged and excited classroom. One 7th grader asked the high school students "how did you get so smart in science so fast?" Another 7th grade boy commented "I'm using my science words today. "Ultimately students learned how to be part of a team, how much fun failure can be and what an incredible resource a peer can be. My participation in this contest has me seeking out new relationships and educational experiences with teachers at the middle school and university levels. I was able to collaborate with Cindy Smits (7th grade teacher at Central) who is just as passionate about science as I am. You have created much more than a crystal contest. Madison has really nailed it when it comes to igniting the passion in science teachers.” Jamie Lauer, Hartford Union High School, Hartford, WI.

“I not only bring students to the awards ceremony, that grew the crystal, I bring students that I feel might want to grow a crystal next year. So the day after the awards ceremony, I asked one of my students I feel might grow a crystal next year what she thought. She said she already order material to learn how to grow a crystal this summer. What a statement of the enthusiasm that was instilled. Nice job.” Brian Ruplinger, Waupaca High School, Waupaca, WI.

“The last 3 years my independent research chemistry students enter the contest and each year the students have enjoyed the challenge to research in order to make the best crystal. The students who have been able to go to the open house were amazed at the equipment in the crystal lab and the willingness of the staff to share their expertise with the students. Thank you for giving a small district like Montello the opportunity to be involved in the contest.” Janene Perkins, Montello High School, Montello, WI.

“My students really enjoyed creating the crystals, and also had a wonderful experience on campus as well. They are already asking if we can do it again next year! I think it was beneficial to have included the middle school students this year because some of them are already talking about going to college, and the possibility of Madison. Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity that was available for my students”. Samantha Eckert, St. Joseph Catholic School, Stratford, WI.

“First, let me say how much my students and I appreciate all you do to organize the Crystal Growing competition. Our budding young chemists spent many hours planning and testing techniques, and many afternoons discussing how to deal with problems that arose. We ended up trying a few new things this year, based on our shortcomings from last year, and they paid off.

Kevin was excited to be the first place winner and is already talking about next year and what we could do differently. I think he'll be doing his own experiments this summer so he can hit the ground running when next year's contest is announced.

We enjoyed the tour given of the Chemistry Dept. and the information presented prior to the ceremony. …What was very apparent from all the guides and presenters was their enthusiasm, so don't dial that back!

We are looking forward to participating next year.” Jim Prosser, Fond du Lac High School, Fond du Lac, WI.

“As a high school teacher, I have participated in the crystal growing contest since the onset. After teaching for 22 years and still immensely enjoying this experience, the contest selfishly brought a whole new level of excitement to my commute to school every day. Soundly rather immature, I couldn't wait to check on my "babies" to look for signs of progress. For the past two years, I would encourage my new prep assistant to visit the contest website

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to get an overview of the task before beginning the adventure. As I would be busy with the duties of teaching, I would quietly notice frequent visits of my prep assistants to the stockroom knowing they were checking on the crystal growing status. In addition, the superintendent of our rather large district is "dialed" in with the contest details and has been given more than one tour of our "crystal farm." This contest, in my opinion, has brought a whole new level to the meaning of science. I am hoping to expand this contest to more members of our chemistry club next year to see if we can generate more excitement. The award ceremony was fabulous and the display of crystals with guest speakers and tours is exceptional. I would like to personally thank you for this experience and all of your dedication to the science education to Wisconsin students. You, along with your colleagues and associates, are making a difference.” Michelle Klysen, Oshkosh North High School.

“We had all of our honors Chemistry students grow crystals in teams. This is the third year we have participated in the crystal competition through UW–Madison. We have loved the experience every year. The competition is well organized and the organizers are definitely enthusiastic about their work. I was also amazed at the discussions that growing crystals stimulated. About a week after the students began growing crystals I heard them arguing about the saturation point of copper (II) sulfate and suddenly they were trying to find solubility curves to prove their point. This type of hands on learning stimulates students interest in Chemistry and they are likely not to forget their experiences.” Kara Klaves, JI Case High School, Racine, WI.

“The Wisconsin Crystal Growing Contest was an amazing opportunity for students. I was excited that the contest was extended to the middle school this year. We used the contest as an extra curricular opportunity. A wide range of students participated and it was a fun experience for all. It linked nicely to many things we learn about in class such as molecular structure and good laboratory technique. Thank you to everyone who made this happen.” Lisa Bowler, John Long MS, Grafton.

“First of all, let me thank all individuals and sponsors for their tireless support of this great program. It really meant a lot to my students to have outside groups and individuals interested in their crystal growing activity.

Second, my students took to this activity like bears to honey (especially Middle School Students). We did some research about how to make a "saturated solution" to start our "seed crystal" and how to best maintain our solution conditions to enable our original seed crystal to continue to grow and take shape. Not that we did not have some setbacks: some middle school groups could not help but disturb their crystal every day in spite of my warnings and disaster struck: THEIR CRYSTAL BROKE! We then talked about following directions and the expression,"If it ain`t broke,don`t fix it". Third, thank you and all parties involved in putting together the awards presentation on May 20th. My students enjoyed it immensely. For most of them, seeing the glassblowing/fabrication was a major highlight.” Kevin Hardie, MS&HS Science, Blair-Taylor Schools.

Additionally, parents stressed that contests like this that promote scientific experimental skills are rare, which makes them very important and gives a chance to non-athletes to compete for school prizes.

Photo credits Figure 3. Kevin Hardie, Blair-Tailor School District. Figure 4. Kathy Abraham, Chemistry and Biology Teacher, Hartford Union High School. Figure 5. Jamie Lauer, Hartford Union High School, Hartford, WI. Figure 6. Samantha Eckert, St. Joseph Catholic School, Stratford WI Figure 7. Courtesy of the Madison Children’s Museum. Figures 8, 9. Ilia Guzei, Chemistry Department, UW–Madison. Figure 10, 11. Libby Dowdall, Chemistry Department, UW–Madison.