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Bright sparks shine as UEL hosts Salters’ Festival of Chemistry

Monday 19 May 2008

Bright sparks from schools across east London, Essex, Surrey and Kent took part in the Salters' Festival of Chemistry at the University of East London (UEL) Stratford campus on Wednesday 14 May.

Twelve schools were each represented by a team of four 11-13 year olds at the event, which aimed to promote appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among secondary school pupils.

During the morning, the teams took part in a competitive, hands-on, practical activity, “A Pinch of Salt”, in which they used their analytical chemistry skills. Central Foundation Girls School in Bow emerged victorious.

In the afternoon, they competed in a special “University Challenge”, which Winchmore School won, before Professor John Nicholson led a lecture and demonstration called “Molecules and Murder".

The event ended with a prize-giving, at which all participants were given individual prizes and participation certificates and the winning teams were awarded cash prizes for their schools.

Dr Michael Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at UEL, said: “Today’s event has given the pupils a real sense of the interest and excitement of chemistry. There’s an element of mystery and detection to the tests, which particularly gripped them. As always, the pupils were very enthusiastic, just as we are about having them here.”

Miriam Gohar (13), of Forest Gate, and Amardeep Kaur (11), of Manor Park, are pupils form Plashet School who took part in the event. Miriam said: “It’s been a really inspiring and fun event. We’re learning how to work together and share our ideas.”

Amardeep added: “It’s great to be at UEL doing these experiments. It’s really inspiring me to become a forensic scientist.”

The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters' Institute in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry. The UEL Festival is one of a series of fifty-three events taking place at universities throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland between March and June 2008.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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