Salters Chemistry Challenge

Posted at 1:50 pm on 25th June, 2019

A group of our talented year 7 Chemistry students visited the Salters Festival at the Chemistry department of the University of Manchester. Here they had the opportunity to participate in the department’s annual Chemistry challenge.

The event aimed to promote Chemistry in schools with over ten different schools from the North West taking part. All participants gained valuable awareness of the use of Chemistry in the world around us.

Each school worked as a team, with the aid of students and staff from the university, to solve the challenges posed. The challenges included a forensic science problem to solve using chromatography and chemical tests. During the afternoon, they carried out flame tests followed by use of solutions to generate a rainbow.

The day culminated with all participants watching a chemical flash bang show. All our students commented how the show explained chemicals reactions in a fun and entertaining way.

Anna Gilbody said ‘I enjoy all the science subjects but this event allowed us to expand our practical knowledge which reinforces what we cover in the classroom.’

Ellie McGlone commented ‘I loved the practical experiments particularly the density tests and smashing the banana show. It would be great to attend this type of event again.’

Mr Dinwoodie, the Science teacher who escorted the girls to the event, said ‘The event was a fantastic opportunity for our students. It was amazing to watch them work together solving the challenges. They were a credit to the school and worked exceptionally well as a team.