Crystallography365 and Crystals in the City: IYCr 2014 activities in Australia

Reflecting the strong heritage of crystallographic research in Australia, we wish to present two of the public outreach projects that are underway down-under to celebrate International year of crystallography 2014. A project that is already up and running is Crystallography365 - Blogging a crystal structure a day at http://crystallography365.wordpress.com/. Gathering a group of, principally students and early career researchers based in Australia, each day during 2014 a different crystal structure will be presented and described. The goals of the project is to present the wide range of uses crystal structures have to a broad spectrum of sciences, and to provide an outlet for this group of scientists to engage with International Year of Crystallography. The other (hopefully bigger) project is Crystals in the city will run 9th-30 August 2014 (coinciding with National Science Week in Australia). A partnership between ANSTO and University of New South Wales, it will bring a public display of 10-15 person-size crystal structure models exhibited in cities around Australia. The goal is that the crystal structures will `reflect' their surroundings and instil pride among the public in the crystallographic achievements of Australian science. Accompanying the exhibition will be website, where the public can find more about each of the structures and students can learn of studying opportunities. The project will also unite a host of supporters and sponsors; universities, museums and crystallographic groups.