Thinking Matters 2018

hemistry

Chemistry is an exciting, popular subject; intellectually demanding, inventive and vital to everyday life. By studying Chemistry, pupils also deepen and extend their understanding of complementary subjects such as Biology and Physics, whilst simultaneously developing effective communication skills and mathematical fluency. We aim to inspire a genuine academic curiosity for Chemistry, and to engage the pupils’ natural enthusiasm. Practical work is an essential component of all courses, allowing pupils to develop their analytical skills and to get first-hand experience of a wide range of exciting chemical reactions. Beyond the laboratory, Upper School chemists are encouraged to enter Round 1 of the prestigious International Chemistry Olympiad. In the past two years, pupils have won a respectable two gold, 18 silver and 11 bronze awards. Similarly, pupils have participated in the highly demanding C3L6 Challenge (run by the University of Cambridge); and gained an impressive two roentgenium, nine gold, eight silver and 11 copper awards. This year, two boys did so well they were invited to a summer camp at the University of Cambridge. Year 10 pupils enjoy competing in the annual RSC Chemistry Challenge; frequently winning prizes in the regional final. ChemSoc provides weekly opportunities for pupils to try their hand at exciting and unusual experiments, watch thrilling demonstrations and to attend presentations (given by Upper School pupils, teachers or outside speakers) on a range of diverse topics and novel developments in the world of chemistry. Recent Middle School activities have

included: investigating fireworks, electroplating coins, and making chemical gardens.

ChemSoc in action – pupils learn how fireworks are made.

‘Attending Chemistry Society is an experience which has improved my knowledge of the subject through informative talks and fun experiments such as demonstrating how fireworks are produced.’ Sameer, Year 10 Every year, we take about 10 Year 12 students to the University of Bristol’s ChemLabs taster course. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to gain a full university experience with laboratory work, lectures and tours; providing insight into the life of an undergraduate chemist. Typical experiments have included the extraction of caffeine from tea leaves and the synthesis of benzocaine; a great chance to perform complicated techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy, that they have not had the opportunity to do before. This year the pupils enjoyed a lecture by Professor Tim Harrison in one of the university’s lecture theatres, and heard talks from current postgraduates about possible areas of research to explore beyond degree level.

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