PA120/14
Schoolchildren
from across the East Midlands will have their chemistry skills put to the test
at a Salter’s Festival of Chemistry at The University of Nottingham next week.
Teams of 11
to 13 year olds from secondary schools across the region will be welcomed into
the School of Chemistry on University Park for a day of interactive games and
lectures with some of the University’s top scientists and technicians.
The
Festival takes place on Wed 7th May 2014 when, in the morning, the
young chemists will be competing in a hands-on team challenge called ‘The Blot
Strikes Again’ which tests their analytical skills.
Bright sparks
In the
afternoon they take on a ‘University Challenge’ to devise a chemical reaction
that creates a temperature of precisely 10.5˚C, using their skills and
knowledge. This will be followed by a demonstration lecture led by top research
chemist Professor Pete Licence and team who can recreate thunder and lightning
in the lab.
The
Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters’ Institute to
promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among young people,
and to encourage careers in chemistry teaching and in the UK chemical and
allied industries.
A taste of campus chemistry
Hosting the
event, Dr Samantha Tang, Public Awareness Scientist in the
University’s School of Chemistry said:
“The
annual Festival of Chemistry has been taking place at the University for over a
decade and the positive responses we have had from schools, some of whom have
become regular attendees, means that the event is a worthwhile activity for
schools to engage in. Performing experiments in an undergraduate laboratory
helps to raise aspirations and interest in these students, and for the staff participating
in making this event happen, we get a real sense of enjoyment in working with
local and regional schools, encouraging young people to do more practical
chemistry”.
The
Festival at The University of Nottingham is one of a series of 47 Festivals which are taking place at Universities
throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland between March and June 2014.
Media are welcome to attend by arrangement with the
University’s Communications Department, details below.