16 May 2006

Salters' Festival of Chemistry, Nottingham Trent University (May 18, 2006)

Students from 15 schools across the East Midlands will take part in a fun-filled day of science as part of the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry. Each school will be represented by a team of four 11 to 13 year olds during the event at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton campus on Thursday, May 18.

The festival, which aims to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among the young, is being hosted by the University’s Centre for Effective Learning in Science (CELS).

During the morning, teams will take part in a competitive, hands-on activity; The Mystery at Salty Towers, which will encourage them to use their analytical chemistry skills. In the afternoon they will compete in the University Challenge, a practical activity whereby pupils will be making their own tests for acids and alkalis.

This will be followed by a fun lecture by Mark Crowley (CELS) entitled: ‘Lights, Camera, Reaction.’

The day will end with a prize-giving when all participants will be given fun prizes and certificates and winning teams will be awarded cash prizes for their schools.

CELS Outreach Coordinator, Georgina Westbrook, said: “This is the first time Nottingham Trent University and CELS have hosted a Salter’s Festival and we are looking forward to giving the children the opportunity to take part in some real practical chemistry problems.”

ENDS

Notes for editors: The Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of The Salters’ Institute. The event at Nottingham Trent University is one of a series of 52 festivals taking place at universities across the UK and Republic of Ireland between March and June 2006.

The institute is working in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry. Its three core activities are the Salters’ Chemistry Club and Salters' Festivals of Chemistry for 11 to 14 year olds; Salters' Chemistry Camps for those aged 15, in partnership with other scientific institutions, and curriculum development. This is undertaken at The University of York, including Salters’ GCSE Science and Twenty First Century Science and Salters Advanced Chemistry, Salters Horners Advanced Physics and Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology.

CELS aims to create a more relevant, accessible and achievable image for science within both the higher education and school communities. Based on Nottingham Trent University's excellent record in science teaching and nationally recognised widening participation activities, CELS will enable academic teams to develop and trial new approaches to teaching and presenting science to both communities.