A hands on approach to chemistry

Tees Valley teens explored the world of practical science at Teesside University.

The pupils were visiting the University as part of the three-day Chemistry at Work event organised by the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) and sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Nearly 400 Year Nine (aged 14 to 15) pupils and 23 teachers from 11 different North East schools attended the annual event.

Representatives of business, education and the emergency services delivered practical chemistry related demonstrations and presentations to the pupils. These included Teesside University itself, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Avecia Biotechnology, Cleveland Potash and Northumbrian Water. Their diverse subjects ranged from forensic chemistry to diabetes and clinical drug trials.

Practical forensics One of the activities was a practical forensics session, delivered in rotation by Teesside University staff. Pupils from Bydales Technology College, Marske, took their own fingerprints and also learned about the importance of dental stone casting in investigations.

Lindsey Walker, 14, said: 'It’s been really good being able to do hands-on work and not just watching. It’s my first time at the University and I didn’t know it was University of the Year. It’s quite open with lots of different stuff going on.'

Jenna Porter, 14, said: 'I like this; I’ve never done these activities before at school. I like the University, it’s so big.'

Gordon Cameron, a Talented and Gifted Pupil Coach and a Science teacher at Bydales has also completed a short forensics course at the University. He said: 'This event gives the pupils inspiration about the practical application of science in the workplace; it’s not just an abstract idea. Hopefully it will also give them a desire to pursue further and higher education and that some will choose the science field.'

Dr Joe McGinnis, a senior lecturer in the School of Science & Engineering, was another of the University’s staff to work with the pupils. He said: 'Chemistry plays an extremely important role in our everyday life, often in areas you might not think of. Most of the clothes we wear are made from synthetic fibres which are products of the chemical industry, and are coloured by synthetic dyes. Paints for cars, houses or aircraft contain all sorts of essential additives to protect against corrosion and weathering, as well as pigments which must remain stable throughout decades of exposure to the sun’s rays; these are also products of the chemical industry.

'Without a detailed understanding of the chemistry of just one element (silicon) there would be no computers, no internet and no mobile phones. This event allowed pupils to see how chemistry is involved in a wide range of different industries, and hopefully inspired many of them to pursue their study of a subject which will provide them with many fascinating opportunities for a future career.'

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