On 9 May, school students from across London, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent competed in an exciting day of hands-on chemistry at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS).
Students in our Chemistry lab (Credit: Ray Crundwell Photography)
18 schools participated in the competition, with each school represented by teams of four pupils aged from 11 to 13 years old. The teams took part in a number of scientific challenge within the two main competitions – The Salters Challenge, won by Mount House School and The University Challenge, in which Walthamstow Hall School finished in first place.
In addition to the competitions, the students attended a teacher programme, which consisted of a lecture titled ‘Chemistry is Kool’ with Dr Tippu Sheriff and a talk on ‘Careers in Chemistry – Alternatives to Medicine’ with Head of Chemistry Professor Marina Resmini.
Dr Lesley Howell who helped organise the event said, “Everyone involved was extremely impressed with all the teams that took part in the competition with their enthusiasm, knowledge and curiosity for today’s event, and hope many of them will consider studying chemistry at university and choose scientific careers in the future.”
The day ended with a prize giving ceremony where all participants were given individual prizes and participation certificates.
The Festival at Queen Mary is one of a series of 49 festivals, which are taking place at Universities and Colleges throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland between March and June 2019.
The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry is an initiative of The Salters' Institute and the Royal Society of Chemistry, whose aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among young people.
The Salters’ Challenge
First place - Mount House School
Second place - St Paul’s Girls’ School
Third place - City of London School for Girls
The University Challenge
First place – Walthamstow Hall School
Second place – Ibstock Place School
Third place – James Allen’s Girls’ School