Over 150 students from 36 south west schools enjoyed a fun-filled Festival of Chemistry here on campus this week.
Each school attending the event was represented by a team of 11 to 13-year-olds, who took part in competitive chemistry activities throughout the day before a final prize-giving ceremony.
This annual event is an initiative of the Salter’s Institute, which aims to promote an appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among young people.
Pupils Jon and Milo from Beechen Cliff school in Bath test substances in the laboratory.
During the morning session the teams used their analytical chemistry skills in a hands-on practical activity called ‘there’s been a murder’.
In the afternoon they competed in the ‘University Challenge,’ an activity in which they were required to fix a ‘Tardis’ before Dr Who fell prey to the Daleks!
The challenge was followed by a fun lecture given by Dr Mike Hill, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Reader. The lecture involved flashes, bangs, mini volcanoes, screaming jelly babies and much more.
A prize-giving was held at the end of the day and participants received fun awards and certificates, with the winning teams awarded prizes for their schools.
Dr Simon Lewis, who organised the event, said: “These festivals have been a fantastic opportunity to get kids tuned in to chemistry and we’ve shown them that science can be fun and rewarding.
“The laboratories we have here at Bath have a huge ‘wow’ factor for visiting pupils and the event will have helped open their eyes to possible future careers in science, as well as being great fun for everyone involved”
The Salters’ Festival of Chemistry event at the University of Bath is part of a series of 51 festivals taking place at universities throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland between March and June 2011.
The Institute is delighted that the Royal Society of Chemistry is again working in partnership with it in running the festivals this year.
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