The 27^th May 2013 saw 7 brave researchers take the stage at the Stand Comedy club for a chemistry-ish night. Following two training sessions, PhD students and postdocs had the audience in fits of laughter (or slightly bewildered) as they explained their ???pi- on earring??? research, their quests to discover cancer curing drugs, surreal viva experiences, the physics of caramel and the fun to be had with lasers.

Who knew the Head of School had such a distinctive laugh? or that Faculty members knew so much about orange parrots (or was it carrots)?

G??ne?? enerjisi! This is how the Solar Spark team attracted the attention of visitors at the three-day Bursa Science Festival 2014 in Turkey.

April brings round one of our favourite Edinburgh festivals, the International Science Festival, and the School of Chemistry were there with hands-on activities and a workshop to celebrate the International Year of Crystallography. We had a busy few days making crystals, understanding how crystals form, looking at the molecular structure of crystals and considering the importance of studying crystals in chemistry.

This weekend a group of undergraduates, postgraduates and staff from the School of Chemistry went on an expedition to Dunbar to take part in their Science Festival. We were celebrating the International Year of Crystallography and had a great time showing the kids crystals they can find in their kitchens using microscopes. We explained how crystals form and why understanding their structure is important to chemists. It was a fun weekend for all involved and we hope to have inspired some budding chemists!

During the National Science and Engineering Week, students and staff from the School of Chemistry helped out in a community event held at the North Edinburgh Arts Centre which highlighted the chemical reactions which transform cake ingredients into sponge. Through a series of ???hands-on??? work stations attendees were able to learn about acids and bases, the miscibility of fluids, protein denaturation and non-newtonian fluids. At the end, participants were given the opportunity to decorate their own cupcake.

The Solar Spark saw a record-breaking 75,000 visitors attend the Big Bang Fair Birmingham on 15-16^th March. More than 100 children and parents had a go on the bike generator to see how much pedal power is required to run various domestic appliances, illustrating just how much energy we all use each day. During the two day drop-in session, everyone had a chance to play with fruit batteries and all kinds of solar toys, as well as find out more about the science behind making solar cells (light absorption, energy conversion and electricity) from the friendly volunteers.

To celebrate the International Year of Crystallography the School of Chemistry, at The University of Edinburgh, is launching a crystal growing competition for S3 and S4 pupils from schools in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders.

To enter the competition please register by the 28^th March 2014 by emailing monica.hoyos-flight@ed.ac.uk

For 50 minutes Room T250 in The School of Chemistry was transformed into Rosalind Franklin???s small and dark laboratory at King???s College London 1951. In a mesmerising performance, Kathryn Godfrey, portrayed the brilliance and drive of a reluctant participant in the race to solve the structure of DNA.

Since the early 20th century, X-ray diffraction has been used to study how atoms are arranged in matter.

Professor Polly Arnold has recently been made a member of the board of directors for the Edinburgh International Science Festival. The festival is one of the oldest and largest science festivals in the world.

This year's festival will run from the 5-20 April.