We were delighted this week with the success of four of our Year 7 Gifted and Talented Science students at the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry at the University of Kent. India Niles, Nathan Stacey, Sophie Wildman and Bailey McAllen won second prize in the ‘Salter’s Challenge’. The students were competing against 12 other schools (including 4 grammar schools) which were made up of both year 7 and year 8 students.
The aim of the day was to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst the young. Students worked in the university labs, carrying out experiments and challenges which they had to work through themselves without any help from Mrs Cook (our Science Technician) who was accompanying them. Judges for the competition included representatives from UKC’s School of Physical Sciences and the Royal Society of Chemistry. Students were also treated to a ‘Chemistry Magic Demonstration’. The liquid nitrogen demonstration certainly proved to be a favourite.
These are some reflections of the students who went:
Sophie
‘I learnt so much and it was a great experience. We worked together as a team and found out about liquid nitrogen and smashed frozen bananas with a hammer! However the best part for me was doing chromatography with different inks.’
Bailey
‘I really enjoyed the demonstration in which they used liquid nitrogen and I also liked the tasks we were set. It was great fun.