News

Salters’ Festival of Chemistry at Queen’s Campus

(22 March 2004)

Young people have the chance to experience the excitement of science with a special event at the University of Durham, Queen’s Campus, Stockton.

On Wednesday 24 March, 48 students from 12 schools in the Tees Valley will enjoy a fun-filled day of chemistry at the Salters' Festival of Chemistry. Organised by the TCI Science Education Unit each school will be represented by a team of four 11-13 year olds.

The Teams will be involved in a range of practical activities judged by representatives from supporting companies Avecia Biotechnology, ConocoPhillips, Dow Chemicals, Huntsman Tioxide, ICI MSG, Lucite International, Petroplus and The CADCAM Centre.

During the morning the teams will take part in a competitive, hands-on practical activity ‘The Salterstown Mystery’ in which they will use their analytical chemistry skills. In the afternoon, teams will compete in the ‘University Challenge,’ a practical activity chosen by the TCI Science Education Unit which will involve them creating some colours for water-based paints. This will be followed by a fun lecture by Dr Sylvia Bettington and Dr Amber Thompson entitled, ‘My mother and her nine pumpkins – the science of plants.’

The day will end with a prize giving ceremony during which the winning teams will be awarded cash prizes for their schools. All participants will be given an individual fun prize and certificate of participation.

The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters' Institute, whose aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst the young.

The Festival at Queen's Campus is sponsored by BASF plc, Seal Sands and is one of a series of forty-seven festivals taking place at Universities throughout the UK and Ireland between March and June 2004.

Further information and photo opportunities:

Leila Elliott, TCI Science Education Unit, (01642) 868682

Helen Swain, Public Relations Office, University of Durham, 0191 334 0017

Notes to Editors

1. The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of The Salters' Institute, whose aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among the young.

2. Schools taking part in the Festival at Queen’s Campus are: Bishopsgarth Comprehensive School, Brierton Comprehensive School, Carmel RC Technology College, Conyers School, Grangefield School and Technology College, Hurworth School, Nunthorpe Comprehensive School, Rye Hills School, Sedgefield Community College, St Michael’s RC School, Teesside High School and West Redcar Community School.

3. Website: www.festivalsofchemistry.co.uk