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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.

Crystal quest

In this activity, students synthesise prior learning about structure and bonding, and about enzymes, and apply it to a new context: X-ray crystallography. The main part of the activity involves students pitching for funding for new equipment – how will they use the equipment to elucidate structures and why is it important to do so?

Learning Outcomes

  • Students outline how X-ray crystallography works.

  • Students understand the importance of X-ray crystallography in elucidating structures, and can describe applications of the technique in medicine, materials, and addressing future needs for food and clean water.

 

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