Getting wet in the aid of science

On 19th November, a group fourteen year 9 pupils went to visit the world-famous Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. The “Chemistry at Work” event, organised by MerseySTEM and the Royal Society of Chemistry consisted of a series of workshops and talks given by professionals who use chemistry in a variety of careers. 

Throughout the course of the day, the boys were given the chance to take on the role of forensic scientists, analysing blood samples using analytical micro-pipettes to provide evidence for a murder case. They examined properties of chemicals to determine how best to contain a chemical spillage and a lucky few were chosen to try on chemical spill suits and breathing apparatus! The boys learned how chemistry can be used to make bath bombs and other fun products such as invisible hydrogel beads; and Education & Public Events Officer, Alan Brown gave an inspiring talk on his extraordinary life story and the amazing result of his own ambition and hard work. 

 

Throughout the duration of the event, the pupils were given handy tips on how to impress employers and at the end of the day all pupils left with a gift from the Royal Society of Chemistry of an illustrated chemistry dictionary to help them with their study.

 

The event was attended by many schools from the North West  and Mosslands pupils showed great enthusiasm during the workshops and impressed the guest speakers with great thinking skills and intelligent answers to their questions. Well done boys!

 

Thomas McDowell, who went on the trip wrote :

The trip to Daresbury Laboratory was fun and educational. We learnt lots from the people there and gained experience of how engineering and chemistry is involved in everyday life. As well as this we had the opportunity to take part in many activities. Throughout the day we were given many chances to get involved with practical experiments for example: making bath bombs and using micropipettes to solve a puzzle. I was even asked to try on an oxygen tank used by fire fighters. This is something not everybody gets the chance to do in school. Overall the trip was a great success as everybody had a great time whilst learning. It was a privilege to be invited to the laboratory and be trusted to use the high tech equipment.