year 13 chemistry trip

To complete one of their required practicals, our entire cohort of Year 13 Chemistry students recently visited the teaching laboratories at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Here, they were involved in synthesising aspirin and then purifying it by recrystallisation.

Our students were then given the opportunity to analyse their sample using an IR spectrometer: for the uninitiated, this is used by chemists to determine functional groups in molecules via its measurements of the vibrations of atoms!

The visit was also a great insight for our students into the experience and life of science undergraduates, as they were able to experience BSC level teaching first hand, and to explore all the facilities available to university students.

A really edifying, inspirational and motivational day for all involved, with huge thanks to the accompanying staff from UGS, to our hosts at MMU, and to Co-head Mr Kennedy Fowler for the photographs.