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"The ""Krystalla Project"" comprises a series of coordinated activities designed to promote crystallography and crystallization in society in the context of International Year of Crystallography (IYCr2014). "Krystalla" is a joint venture between the Laboratory of Crystallographic Studies of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Triana Science & Technology, a company specialized in the development of crystallization technology for research and dissemination activities. "Krystalla" aims to: a) Increase awareness of the society about the importance of crystallography and its role in everyday life. b) Promote the IYCr2014 and reflect on scientific knowledge and the role of science in our society. c) Inspire young people and encourage public participation through exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations. d) Illustrate the universality of science and encourage education and research in crystallography. Through the following activities: 1) The itinerant exhibition ""Crystals: a world to discover"" which will exemplify the applications of crystallography on our daily life and the fundamentals behind it. 2) A series of workshops on ""popular crystallography"" and ""crystallography"" for kids. 3) The National Crystallization Competition in the School [1]. 4) A ""Flamenco show" entitled ""The Crystal and the Rose"" blending the art of Flamenco with crystallographic concepts like symmetry, the contrasting geometries of crystals and living forms or the emergence of order from disorder. 5) A didactic edition of the successful documentary ""The Mystery of the Giant Crystals"" including the making-off of the movie, short videos explaining the fundamentals and applications of crystallization and scientific notes for teachers. 6) The webpage "The House of Crystals" exclusively dedicated to the dissemination of crystallography and crystallization. 7) A series of didactic guides to use well known movies as crystallographic teaching and popularization materials. 8) The IYCr2014 promotional video [2]."
abstracts
The Crystallization Competition in the School is an innovative contest on Crystallography and Crystallization for young students aged 12-16, successfully tried in five yearly editions. During the 2013/2014 school year, the Competition is coordinated by the Specialized Spanish Group of Crystallography and Crystal Growth throughout Spain in seven hosting areas, culminating in a National Final with a selection of the best crystallization projects. Objectives: a) To stimulate scientific vocations amongst secondary school pupils through an enjoyable and enriching activity; b) To explain basic concepts of Crystallography and Crystallization taking advantage of the natural attraction of crystal growth; c) To communicate how researchers work and compete in a scientific environment; d) To bridge the gap between science and society by conveying the importance of Crystallography in everyday life. Development: 1. Training of secondary school teachers (October-November 2013). A number of workshops entitled `Crystallography in the School' are organised to provide school teachers with specific training in Crystallography and Crystallization; 2. Laboratory work and experimental follow-up (December 2013-March 2014). The students grow spectacular large crystals using an innovative crystallization kit of ADP under the guidance of their teachers, while developing a solid understanding of the concepts involved: solubility, supersaturation, nucleation and crystal growth. Students may also develop other crystallization projects related to the formation of geodes, common salt crystallization in its different habits, and crystallization in gels; 3. Intermediate/Regional Finals (April 2014). The best crystallization projects nationwide are selected to present their crystallization projects at the National Final in Madrid; 4. National Final (10 May 2014, headquarters of CSIC). The format is similar to a `Scientific Congress', where the students have to present a crystal model and a poster of their work. * Organized by: GE3C, CSIC and The Crystallization Factory. * Sponsored by: FECYT, MINECO and Triana Science & Technology.
