Chemistry OutreachChemistry OutreachBristol ChemLabSBristol ChemLabS

(School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)(School of Chemistry, University of Bristol)

Tim Harrison Tim Harrison School Teacher Fellow School Teacher Fellow

University of Bristol University of Bristol http://www.chm.bristol.ac.uk/

Bristol ChemLabSBristol ChemLabSIn January 2005 The School of Chemistry University of Bristol was awarded £4.5m to create a Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) for Chemistry. This project is called Bristol ChemLabS

Of the 74 CETLs in the UK Bristol ChemLabS is the only one purely in Chemistry.

This distinguished award adds to a 5* research ranking and the award of ‘Excellent’ in teaching – a unique trio of awards amongst UK Chemistry Departments

Teaching Labs that take 108 students per floor

Why Should Universities Provide Why Should Universities Provide Outreach Activities for Schools?Outreach Activities for Schools?

From a University perspective

•The uptake of Chemical Sciences in schools and universities in the UK (and many other countries) has been dropping.

•Scientists have a responsibility to communicate their work to the wider community.

Why Should Universities Provide Why Should Universities Provide Outreach Activities for Schools?Outreach Activities for Schools?

From a school perspective

School students need to see what facilities in university laboratories are like if they are to make informed decisions about degree courses.Students need to hear about the excitement of advancements in chemistry (and physics) from practitioners

Who are we already Who are we already outreaching to in the UK?outreaching to in the UK?

The wider communityThe wider communitySecondary Schools [aged 12 Secondary Schools [aged 12 --19]19]Primary Schools [aged 5 Primary Schools [aged 5 --11]11]School Teachers School Teachers School TechniciansSchool TechniciansTrainee TeachersTrainee TeachersEven our own Undergraduates!Even our own Undergraduates!

What Should Outreach What Should Outreach Activities Do for Students?Activities Do for Students?

•Engage

•Educate

•Excite

•Enthuse

•Entertain

Chemistry Activities for Secondary Schools

•Schools Chemistry Conferences

•Spectroscopy Tours

•Competitions

•Full and Half-day Workshops

•Summer Schools

•Practical Days for Senior School Students – the Open Laboratory Programme

Chemistry Conferences for Chemistry Conferences for School StudentsSchool Students

The School of Chemistry is committed to The School of Chemistry is committed to holding several afternoons of lectures for holding several afternoons of lectures for students aged 14 to 18 per yearstudents aged 14 to 18 per yearNationally important chemists Nationally important chemists ––not just not just from University of Bristol but want to grow from University of Bristol but want to grow new new ‘‘starsstars’’ as well by working with our own as well by working with our own postgraduates.postgraduates.Audiences range in number from 200 to Audiences range in number from 200 to 700700

Primary lectures for G&T pupilsPrimary lectures for G&T pupils

Spectroscopy Tours* for Post 16 Students

We now run 16-20 spectroscopy half day visits during September and December each year. Students from a wide areaWe average 550-600 students per year.Each session consists of mini lecture, tours of at least ir, ms, nmr plus , when possible, XRD and SEM.

School students who study infra red spectroscopy at school get to use one!

A £10k portable ir machine has just been purchased to take into schools.

Practical CompetitionsPractical Competitions

RSC 'Top of the Bench' practical Chemistry RSC 'Top of the Bench' practical Chemistry CompetitionCompetitionMixed age working: two 14 year olds, one Mixed age working: two 14 year olds, one 15 year old and 1 sixteen year old. The 15 year old and 1 sixteen year old. The Judges came from industryJudges came from industry

RSC Analytical CompetitionThis is for 17 year-olds. The regional heats are being prepared in conjunction with the University of Plymouth. The winners will attend the UK national finals

In the old Teaching Laboratories (pre-

refurbishment)

Poster Presentation Poster Presentation Competition for KS4Competition for KS4

This regional event allows school This regional event allows school students to display some of the work students to display some of the work that they have produced in school that they have produced in school science clubs or as part of their science clubs or as part of their examination courses. examination courses. ..

Workshops for 15 and 16 Workshops for 15 and 16 YearYear--Old Students Old Students

Polymer ChemistryPolymer Chemistrya full day session (up to 100 students) a full day session (up to 100 students) includes 2.5 hours practical, 2 hours includes 2.5 hours practical, 2 hours lectures and a tour of the department. lectures and a tour of the department. (This can be held 5 times in one week)(This can be held 5 times in one week)Structure and Bonding WorkshopStructure and Bonding WorkshopThis half day workshop involves 2 hour This half day workshop involves 2 hour practical session and a 1 hour lecture practical session and a 1 hour lecture demo.demo.Green ChemistryGreen ChemistryPerfume ChemistryPerfume ChemistryClimate Change Day SchoolClimate Change Day SchoolNatural Product ExtractionNatural Product Extraction

Example: Perfume ChemistryExample: Perfume Chemistry

Whole day workshops have been Whole day workshops have been held (including on Saturdays). held (including on Saturdays). Students are taken through the Students are taken through the theory of perfumes, extraction theory of perfumes, extraction methods etc and then get to create methods etc and then get to create and bottle their own fragrance to and bottle their own fragrance to take away.take away.A similar experience for A similar experience for UoBUoB’’ss own own undergraduate chemists was also undergraduate chemists was also delivered.delivered.

Perfume WorkshopsPerfume WorkshopsThese can be taken into schools or hosted These can be taken into schools or hosted at the university laboratories.at the university laboratories.

Summer Schools Summer Schools

6- 7 day annual Summer Schools for 16-18 year old students in Chemistry was initially jointly held by Bristol and Trinity College, Dublin, Eire in July 2006. Now an annual event.Overseas students are now regular

participants.

StudentsStudents’’ commentscomments"For both of us"For both of us, the course has been a life , the course has been a life

changing experience that we will never changing experience that we will never forget.forget.

Throughout the course (Throughout the course (‘‘Connecting with Connecting with ChemistryChemistry’’), we never ceased to be ), we never ceased to be amazed at the facilities available to us in amazed at the facilities available to us in the university, from the wellthe university, from the well--stocked stocked library to the huge laboratories.library to the huge laboratories.

The resources offered to us were second to The resources offered to us were second to none, no expenses spared.none, no expenses spared.

The chemistry summer school was one of The chemistry summer school was one of the best experiences of our lives (not the best experiences of our lives (not exaggerating!) and will be remembered exaggerating!) and will be remembered for years to come."for years to come."

Extracts from an emailExtracts from an email

••Participation in Sutton Trust Science Participation in Sutton Trust Science Summer Schools for 17 year old students Summer Schools for 17 year old students ••Higher Education Summer School for Year Higher Education Summer School for Year 15 year old students 15 year old students •2x two and a half day Pharmaceutical Chemistry summer schools for 15 year old 15 year old studentsstudents••2 day Summer schools for likely chemists2 day Summer schools for likely chemists

Other Summer Schools Other Summer Schools

Pre University Practicals in Pre University Practicals in Undergraduate LabsUndergraduate LabsMany practical sessions have been Many practical sessions have been

developed and trialled.developed and trialled.So far these include: So far these include: aspirin and aspirin and paracetamolparacetamol, synthesis, , synthesis,

limonene, carvones and caffeine limonene, carvones and caffeine extractions, synthesis of banana oil extractions, synthesis of banana oil (an ester), blueprinting,(an ester), blueprinting,

As part of these the analysis As part of these the analysis techniques infra red spectroscopy, techniques infra red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and thin layer mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography. chromatography.

Research being made Research being made available to School Studentsavailable to School Students

Articles involving work at Bristol Articles involving work at Bristol are being rewritten for a Post 16 are being rewritten for a Post 16 audience and teachers for audience and teachers for publication publication egeg Science in Science in Schools, Physics Education and Schools, Physics Education and Chemistry Review.Chemistry Review.

SEAS TrainingSEAS Training

Postgraduates at the School of Postgraduates at the School of Chemistry are undertaking training to Chemistry are undertaking training to equip them with the information and equip them with the information and CRB (police) checks required to go CRB (police) checks required to go into schools to talk to students. into schools to talk to students. Such chemistry postgraduates are Such chemistry postgraduates are used to assist in the delivery of used to assist in the delivery of ‘‘ScienceScience’’ in secondary and primary in secondary and primary schoolsschools350+ PG chemists have undertaken 350+ PG chemists have undertaken the the SEAsSEAs training in the last 4 years.training in the last 4 years.

Chemistry Activities for Primary Schools

Primary SchoolsPrimary Schools

Competitions Competitions Chem@rtChem@rt, [3, [3--5000 pupils engaged]5000 pupils engaged]Science Online Quiz [1200+ pupils]Science Online Quiz [1200+ pupils]

Participation in School Science Participation in School Science Weeks/DaysWeeks/DaysAssembliesAssembliesWorkshopsWorkshopsArea Gifted and Talented DaysArea Gifted and Talented Days

Lecture DemonstrationsLecture Demonstrations

Primary SchoolsPrimary Schools

WorkshopsWorkshopsWe take circus of experiments We take circus of experiments into primary schools and set up into primary schools and set up a lab in a classroom.a lab in a classroom.The experiments are chosen to The experiments are chosen to reinforce measurement, reinforce measurement, investigatory and teamwork investigatory and teamwork skills.skills.25 to 30 days per year25 to 30 days per year

When working in primary schools we take in all equipment including lab coats safety glasses and gloves!

School Teacher Training / Continuing Professional

Development (CPD)

Training for Teachers and Training for Teachers and Student TeachersStudent Teachers

School of Chemistry is a partner is School of Chemistry is a partner is Regional Science Learning CentreRegional Science Learning Centre--southsouth--westwestWhole day workshops on teaching of Whole day workshops on teaching of practical chemistry and leading practical chemistry and leading edge chemistryedge chemistrySchool of Chemistry half day (free) School of Chemistry half day (free) workshops provided on current workshops provided on current topics topics egeg spectroscopy, COspectroscopy, CO22sensors, climate change and Green sensors, climate change and Green Chemistry using Chemistry using GrGräätzeltzel cells, cells,

Teacher Engagement Teacher Engagement continuedcontinued

National Science Learning Centre National Science Learning Centre (York) residential courses for (York) residential courses for teachersteachersMSUREMSURE-- a new mastera new master’’s degree s degree with units of current with units of current ‘‘hot science hot science topicstopics’’Primary teacher chemistry practical Primary teacher chemistry practical taster sessions.taster sessions.

Teachers Network Teachers Network -- CHeMneTCHeMneT

CHeMneT Our own network of named CHeMneT Our own network of named Chemistry teachers mainly in the local Chemistry teachers mainly in the local region (southregion (south--west England) which ensures west England) which ensures that schoolsthat schools’’ outreach information goes outreach information goes directly to the people who might make best directly to the people who might make best use of it. use of it. Membership is 420+ teachers, (Feb 2008), Membership is 420+ teachers, (Feb 2008), 510 (Dec 08), 600 (Aug 09).510 (Dec 08), 600 (Aug 09).A primary school version of CHeMneT for A primary school version of CHeMneT for science coordinators has just been science coordinators has just been launched.launched.

Visually impaired persons summer Visually impaired persons summer school held in 2005 & 2006school held in 2005 & 2006

Believed to be the Believed to be the first summer school first summer school for the blind in for the blind in practical chemistry practical chemistry and physics in the and physics in the UKUK

Chemistry Activities for the Wider Community

Feedback from VIP summer Feedback from VIP summer school 2005school 2005

‘‘The standard of lecturing was of the The standard of lecturing was of the highest qualityhighest quality’’‘‘Things I had never understood at Things I had never understood at ‘‘OO’’level have finally made senselevel have finally made sense’’, said , said another. another.

The summer school is sponsored by the The summer school is sponsored by the European Social Fund, with additional European Social Fund, with additional contributions from Bristol ChemLabS.contributions from Bristol ChemLabS.

Wider CommunityWider Community

Many members of the School of Many members of the School of Chemistry are also very active in Chemistry are also very active in giving lectures and talks for a giving lectures and talks for a number of organisations from the number of organisations from the WomenWomen’’s Institute, through s Institute, through schools, other universitiesschools, other universities’’chemical societies, chemical societies, ‘‘CafCafééScientifiqueScientifique’’ events to the Scouts.events to the Scouts.

Other groups we work withOther groups we work with

The Royal Society The Royal Society The Royal Society of Chemistry The Royal Society of Chemistry The British Association for the The British Association for the Advancement of Science Advancement of Science -- ‘‘The The BABA’’The Royal Institution (The Royal Institution (RiRi))Institute of Physics (IOP)Institute of Physics (IOP)Research Councils UK (RCUK)Research Councils UK (RCUK)SaltersSalters’’

Overseas groups we are working Overseas groups we are working with in Outreach Related Projectswith in Outreach Related Projects

Trinity College Dublin, Eire Trinity College Dublin, Eire Wuhan University, ChinaWuhan University, ChinaLjubljana University, SloveniaLjubljana University, SloveniaEtvosEtvos University, HungaryUniversity, HungaryA consortium of universities in TurkeyA consortium of universities in TurkeyNational University of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeIACS Calcutta, IndiaIACS Calcutta, IndiaNational University of Malaysia (UKM)National University of Malaysia (UKM)MOE BruneiMOE BruneiMOE MaltaMOE MaltaBritish Council (France)British Council (France)University of KuwaitUniversity of KuwaitRhodes University, South AfricaRhodes University, South AfricaSciSci--Bono Science Centre, JohannesburgBono Science Centre, JohannesburgJames Cook University, AustraliaJames Cook University, Australia

Wuhan , China October 2006

‘‘ConsortiumConsortium’’ of University of University Chemistry Outreach DepartmentsChemistry Outreach Departments

We have recently formed a We have recently formed a consortium with the universities of consortium with the universities of Plymouth, TCD, Sheffield, Warwick, Plymouth, TCD, Sheffield, Warwick, Southampton and Nottingham, Southampton and Nottingham, Manchester to share good practice Manchester to share good practice in outreach events. in outreach events. A conference hosted by Bristol on A conference hosted by Bristol on ‘‘Chemistry OutreachChemistry Outreach’’ is planned for is planned for 20092009

www.chm.bristol.ac.ukwww.chm.bristol.ac.uk