Pupils Taught The Appliance Of Science At USW

Newport High School pupils Charlie Corten, Faye Reynolds, and Neve Hinkley, all 13, take part in experiments during Chemistry at Work day at USW. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

BUDDING scientists have been given a taste of the world of chemistry at a special event at the University of South Wales (USW). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Year 9 students from Newport High School have taken part in a Chemistry at Work day, which is part of a UK-wide Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) initiative. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The event saw the pupils involved in some hands-on activities, seeing how chemistry has a role in a wide variety of fields, and meeting a number of people working in the sector. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is supported by See Science, STEM Ambassadors, RSC, USW’s School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and First Campus – a partnership of the universities in South East Wales, which aims to raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to go on to study at college and university. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Helen Obee Reardon, STEM Co-ordinator for First Campus, said: “Chemistry at Work aims to give either primary or secondary school pupils a chance to engage with science for the first time, and meet local organisations that are involved in either teaching or work with chemistry. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It highlights the role chemistry and the chemical sciences play in our way of life, from everyday applications to uses in wider society. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“First Campus and USW have a long history of supporting local youngsters who want to know more about STEM subjects. With this programme, we aim to develop and apply STEM knowledge and skills through activities linked to chemistry, so youngsters can understand the relevance of the science in their everyday lives.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Liam Thomas of the Royal Society of Chemistry added: “Chemistry at Work events aim to inspire students to appreciate the relevance and societal importance of chemistry, and consider a future career in the chemical sciences. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our events enable students and teachers to interact with practising chemical scientists and organisations in their local area.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​