Current modules
(5) (4) refers to the class year
Global warming and climate change (5)
If carbon dioxide constitutes only 0.04% of the atmosphere, why are we so worried about it?
An interdisciplinary unit which brings together aspects of physics, chemistry, biology and geology to focus on carbon dioxide from the macro level to the molecular level. This unit draws upon many of the concepts of the school science programme and ends by introducing the EnRoads climate model to connect the science to real world action.
Dyes and textiles (4,5)
Why do some textiles only interact with certain dyes?
Looking in more detail at the chemical and physical properties of different commonly available textiles.
Organic chemistry, functional groups, intermolecular interactions, practical lab
Chemical kinetics (4)
How can we understand what happens in a chemical reaction?
An introduction to the basic concepts of chemical kinetics collision theory to Arrhenius.
Order of reaction, practical lab, Arrhenius equation
Thermodynamics from the chemical point of view (4)
What is heat and how is it related to chemistry?
Thermochemistry and its relation to chemical reactions.
Enthalpy, entropy, free energy, state equations, spontaneous and non spontaneous, practical lab
Atoms and the periodic table (3)
An introduction to the discovery of the electronic structure of atoms and how this connects to the periodic table.
After looking at the electronic structure of the atom in detail and how this links to the periodic table, we finish with a class quiz about elements around the house.
Spectroscopy, emission spectra, practical demonstrations, board game - Elements around the house
Nanotechnology (4, 5)
How does the lotus leaf stay dry? Why are some insects shiny? What does the blackest material look like? Why don't geckoes fall off the ceiling?
A trip into the nanoworld - where the rules of the world change!
Interdisciplinary, small scale, nanomaterials, practical lab
Antibiotics (5)
How does penicillin work? How are antibiotics discovered and made?
An introduction to medicinal chemistry with an emphasis on understanding biological activity from a chemical point of view.
Organic chemistry, functional groups, intermolecular interactions, enzymes, model building,
Plastics and bioplastics (4, 5)
What are plastics? What is the difference between purely synthetic and biodegradable plastics?
Looking at the chemical and physical properties of plastics.
Stress, strain and material properties.
Organic chemistry, functional groups, polymer chemistry, material properties intermolecular interactions
The chemistry of leather making (specialist course)
How is leather made? What are the chemical steps involved?
A specialised course for students of tanning and people working in the tanning sector.
This course presupposes a knowledge of basic organic chemistry.
...others to be added
Past activities are listed here
Global warming and climate change (5)
If carbon dioxide constitutes only 0.04% of the atmosphere, why are we so worried about it?
An interdisciplinary unit which brings together aspects of physics, chemistry, biology and geology to focus on carbon dioxide from the macro level to the molecular level. This unit draws upon many of the concepts of the school science programme and ends by introducing the EnRoads climate model to connect the science to real world action.
Dyes and textiles (4,5)
Why do some textiles only interact with certain dyes?
Looking in more detail at the chemical and physical properties of different commonly available textiles.
Organic chemistry, functional groups, intermolecular interactions, practical lab
Chemical kinetics (4)
How can we understand what happens in a chemical reaction?
An introduction to the basic concepts of chemical kinetics collision theory to Arrhenius.
Order of reaction, practical lab, Arrhenius equation
Thermodynamics from the chemical point of view (4)
What is heat and how is it related to chemistry?
Thermochemistry and its relation to chemical reactions.
Enthalpy, entropy, free energy, state equations, spontaneous and non spontaneous, practical lab
Atoms and the periodic table (3)
An introduction to the discovery of the electronic structure of atoms and how this connects to the periodic table.
After looking at the electronic structure of the atom in detail and how this links to the periodic table, we finish with a class quiz about elements around the house.
Spectroscopy, emission spectra, practical demonstrations, board game - Elements around the house
Nanotechnology (4, 5)
How does the lotus leaf stay dry? Why are some insects shiny? What does the blackest material look like? Why don't geckoes fall off the ceiling?
A trip into the nanoworld - where the rules of the world change!
Interdisciplinary, small scale, nanomaterials, practical lab
Antibiotics (5)
How does penicillin work? How are antibiotics discovered and made?
An introduction to medicinal chemistry with an emphasis on understanding biological activity from a chemical point of view.
Organic chemistry, functional groups, intermolecular interactions, enzymes, model building,
Plastics and bioplastics (4, 5)
What are plastics? What is the difference between purely synthetic and biodegradable plastics?
Looking at the chemical and physical properties of plastics.
Stress, strain and material properties.
Organic chemistry, functional groups, polymer chemistry, material properties intermolecular interactions
The chemistry of leather making (specialist course)
How is leather made? What are the chemical steps involved?
A specialised course for students of tanning and people working in the tanning sector.
This course presupposes a knowledge of basic organic chemistry.
...others to be added
Past activities are listed here