From staff reports
Proving that one can be neither too young nor too old to learn, kindergartners through retirees took part in Clarion University’s Crystal Growing Competition.
“We aimed to introduce students and chemistry enthusiasts to the exciting world of crystallization,” said Jacqueline Knaust, professor of chemistry, who organized the competition. “The study of crystals is very important in the field of chemistry because it helps scientists understand how atoms and molecules interact.”
Knaust hosted four Crystals at Clarion events, through which 99 people entered their crystal formations.
In all, 234 individuals participated. Individuals and teams entered their largest, most perfect single crystal and/or a cool crystal formation.
“Participants learned about crystal structures: In crystalline solids, atoms, ions or molecules are arranged in a three-dimensional pattern that repeats at evenly spaced intervals,” Knaust said. “We are applying scientific principles as we use a variety of techniques to achieve crystal formation.”
Three local alumni partnered with Knaust and her students to organize and run the competition: Jesse Alden and Kristen Hurrelbrink, chemistry teachers at Clarion-Limestone Junior/Senior High School and Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior/Senior High School, respectively; and Darlene Sharrar, senior chemist at Analytical Testing Service, Franklin.
“I learned about all the steps and amount of time it takes to grow pretty crystals,” said Kathryn Fenske, a student at Immaculate Conception who won Honorable Mention in the fourth-sixth grade category.
“I found it very interesting that simple things like Borax powder and water on a pipe cleaner make these crystals grow.”
Most perfect crystal
K-fifth grade: Austin Perry, first; Nathaniel Shambaugh, second; Hailey Perry, third, all from Cranberry.
6th-8th grade: Elijah Shambaugh, first, CCA.
9th-12th grade: Sam Barker and Tyler Sweeney, first, West Shamokin; Desirea Meabon, second, Cranberry; Braden Murry, Susie Kandor, Roemicha Baum and Sierra Verostek, third, A-C Valley.
Adult: Samuel Vaal, David Heroux, Emma Timmel, Samantha Delaney and Zoe Emory, first, St. Michaels College Chem Club; Jeff Hankey, second, West Shamokin teacher.
Coolest crystal formation
Tiffany Bandi, first, CU alumna; Josh Harold, second; Alayna Dowdall, third, CU student.
K-3rd grade Honorable Mention: Kira Null, Clarion Elementary; and Samantha Patton, Immaculate Conception, Clarion.
4th-6th grade Honorable Mention: Kathryn Fenske, Immaculate Conception, Clarion; and Kadin Drake, A-C Valley.
7th-12th grade Honorable Mention: Madison Hurrelbrink, A-C Valley; and Chris Pederson, Dominic Grubbs, Dylan Burton, Brandon Anderson and Travis Schwartz, West Forest.
Adult Honorable Mention: Brandon Gohn and Hope Kiesling, Clarion University students.