Our Year 12 Chemistry students have had the opportunity to take part in the Schools’ Chemistry Analyst Competition, set up by Dr Graeme Turnbull at Northumbria University. This year’s challenge was to analyse soil samples using a range of methods which informed the Department of Housing, which can then use this information to evaluate the suitability of an old industrial area for building new homes. Some of the tasks will be familiar, but others may not and require students to perform additional research.

There was some excellent competition, with each student working hard on their experiments. They all had to be carried out thoroughly and with precision, enabling students not only to use their curriculum knowledge to help and guide them, but also to ensure they were collecting correct and accurate data. The students were tasked with completing a series of experiments which included: Quantification of thiosulfate in soil using titration, identification of azo-dyes in soil using Chromatography, and identifying metal salts in soil using test tube reactions and flame tests.

When each team had completed their experiment, they then had to answer a series of questions about the experiments and also publish their results. The winning team from each school will receive a certificate to commemorate their efforts and hard work, and will also be entered into the RSC Analytical Sciences community regional heats. Thank you to Dr Graeme Turnbull at Northumbria University for organising this competition and to all the Chemistry Department who supported and helped run the competition.