Nottingham University Projects

Posting by Trevor Irving, Chemistry teacher and Director of Teaching & Learning

Chemistry students at The Sixth Form College, Solihull are fortunate to benefit from an association with Nottingham University and recently a group of students completed project work at the university.

Back in February, approximately 65 first year A level Chemistry students visited the University. The School of Chemistry presented a series of informative talks and chemical demonstrations. Students enjoyed presentations ranging from cutting edge nanotechnology to Professor Martyn Poliakoff’s Periodic Table of Video’s.

As part of the afternoon, the students attended a separate forum, in which they were introduced to a number of research projects to be carried out at College over the coming months. Under this initiative, those interested would undertake practical investigations at College and present their findings to a panel of lecturers and postgraduates during a return visit to the University in June. To assist with some of the practical aspects of the projects, students were invited to spend a day in the University laboratories in April, where they had the privilege of working with professional standard analytical equipment.

In March, 15 students completed project work set by the University. This was divided into three topic areas: Preparation and analysis of nickel complex ions; synthesis of naturally-occurring dyes; and the kinetics of the reaction between propanone and iodine.

The students attended on a weekly basis after College and worked on predominantly practical activities. They welcomed the chance to carry out full university-type experiments and this made for a good relaxed atmosphere.

In April, these 15 students spent a full day in the undergraduate teaching laboratories at Nottingham University, undertaking practical work relating to their projects. In addition they were treated to a session on mass spectroscopy, in which they were able to witness the analysis of products they had prepared at College.

The students returned to the university to present their projects to an audience of lecturers, post-graduates and one of the parents in June. Each group presented powerpoint presentations on the material they had covered and answered questions on their findings. The university had also printed academic posters based on the work produced by the students.

Following the presentations, the students were given a talk on applying for degree courses in Chemistry and Science and then split into groups to feed back to their university supervisors.

The visit coincided with the Nottingham University Open Day and upon completion of the presentations, students were free to partake in the activities elsewhere on the campus.

The standard of the presentations was particularly high this year and the students were a credit to the College.