The Museu de les Ciències hosted yesterday the final of the 13th edition of the school competition “Crystallisation in School”, a scientific and educational event that brought together students and teachers from 23 schools across the Valencian Community. In total, 58 crystallisation projects developed by lower and upper secondary school students were presented.

The competition, organised in collaboration with the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Universitat Jaume I, the Natural History Museum of the Universitat de València, the Instituto de Ciencia Molecular and the Specialised Group on Crystallography and Crystal Growth, once again stood out for the high quality of the projects presented and the commitment shown by the participating students.

The jury was composed of Anna García Forner, Vicente Pelegero, Vicente Esteve, Carlos Gómez, Samia Benmansour, Jorge Salinas, Mónica Giménez and Guillermo Mínguez.

The first prize went to the team from San Vicent Ferrer Maristas School in Cullera. The second prize was awarded to Colegio Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados in València, while the third prize recognised the work presented by Escola Gavina in Picanya. The winning crystals will soon be displayed in an exhibition on Calle Menor at the Museu de les Ciències.

Several special awards were also presented. The prize for the most original crystal went to IES Andreu Alfaro in Paiporta, while the award for best research project was given to IES Clara Campoamor in Alaquàs. The prize for best video went to IES Francesc Ferrer i Guardia in València, and the public award for best project recognised the work of IES María Carbonell i Sánchez in Benetússer.

Colegio Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados in València also received the award for best laboratory notebook. The award for best poster went to IES Marjana in Chiva, while IES Baleares in València received the prize for best crystal. IES Sierra de Mariola in Muro de Alcoy was also recognised with the award for most original composition, and Liceo School in Benicàssim received the prize for best oral presentation.

The initiative aims to bring science closer to the educational community through practical experiences that reproduce the different stages of the scientific method, from laboratory research to the presentation of results in an environment similar to that of a scientific conference. It also fosters critical thinking, creativity, teamwork and scientific communication among young people.

“Crystallisation in School” is the result of collaboration between the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Universitat Jaume I in Castellón, the Natural History Museum of the Universitat de València, the Instituto de Ciencia Molecular and the Specialised Group on Crystallography and Crystal Growth of the Joint Group of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry and the Spanish Royal Society of Physics.