University of Greenwich at Medway hosts school chemistry challenge
Kent and Medway schoolchildren taking part in a chemistry festival held at the University of Greenwich at Medway have learned that there’s more to chemistry than textbooks and lab coats.
The Year 7 and Year 8 pupils from 11 schools took part in a series of chemistry experiments at the festival, which aims to increase their appreciation of chemistry. The university ran the special event for schools in partnership with the Salters’ Institute.
The budding chemists spent their morning attempting to crack the Salters’ Challenge using a range of scientific techniques including metal and non-metal testing and flame testing to solve the fictional murder of Great Salterstown resident Mrs Flossie Chops.
The winners of the Salters’ Challenge were Dylan Evan, Edwin Burnham and Harry Wilders, of Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone. The intrepid detectives won Molymod chemistry sets for their school.
The afternoon saw a change of pace with the University Challenge requiring pupils to make the bounciest polymer ball. The Challenge was won by Nikolai Smirnov, Xander Arscott-Barber, Patrick Nicholson-Going and Jack Rennie, of the Judd School, Tonbridge. Their polymer ball cleared 80cm.
The day ended with a demonstration from Professor John Nicholson, Professor of Biomaterials Chemistry at the University of Greenwich,who wowed staff and children with his display of optical illusions and a dry ice demonstration.
Dr Samantha Booth, of the University of Greenwich’s School of Science, hosted the event. She says: “Chemistry develops a wide range of skills and can open a variety of doors in later life. It’s not all about test tubes and Bunsen burners – you learn how to think, analyse and write critically, as well as honing skills in research and mathematics. Hopefully, the young students came away from this special event realising how varied chemistry is and how much fun you can have – if they didn’t love it before, hopefully they do now!”
Participating schools included:
- Fort Pitt Grammar School (Chatham)
- Kent College (Canterbury)
- Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys (Canterbury)
- Dartford Grammar School
- Rainham Mark Grammar School (Gillingham)
- King’s School Rochester
- Longfield Academy
- Oakwood Park Grammar School (Maidstone)
- Marlowe Academy (Ramsgate)
- The Judd School (Tonbridge)
- Tonbridge Grammar School
ENDS
Image 1: Professor John Nicholson, Professor of Biomaterials Chemistry, at the University of Greenwich
Image 2: From left – Oakwood Park’s winning team: Dillan Evans, Harry Wilders and Edwin Burnham
Image 3: From left – The Judd School’s winning team: Jack Rennei, Xander Arscott-Barber, Nickolai Smirnoff and Patrick Nicholson-Going
For interview opportunities and further media information, please contact:
· University of Greenwich Public Relations, tel: 020 8331 9420 or email n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk
· Delphine Houlton or Stuart McBride, at Maxim, tel: 01892 513033 or email stuart@maxim-pr.co.uk
· For information about the Salters’ Institute contact Fleur Layzell on 020 7628 5962 ext 260 or email: publicity@salters.co.uk