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Department Reviews

CHEMISTRY

This has certainly been a demanding year of second order change for the Chemistry department. September saw the introduction, at SFC level, of both the IB Chemistry courses and a new A Level specification. These have included a number of significant changes. In the A Level course we have been particularly pleased to see a renewed emphasis on practical work, which lies at the heart of this subject, but sadly the death knell was finally sounded for a Chemistry tradition that surely dates from pre-history, namely the externally assessed practical examination. This year our SFC1s have had to undertake instead a series of regular internal practical assessments. In the IB courses there has been a new component in the shape of an extended project: this meaty requirement has tested girls’ organisational skills as well as their staying power, and has turned them into independent learners.

At the same time it has been a year of excellence and high achievement. Another set of superb external exam results was followed by offers from Oxford and Cambridge for three of our SFC2s (Sophie Bell, Anastasia Noraev and Kate Tonks). Sophie and Anastasia also achieved remarkable success in the International Chemistry Olympiad, along with Faaizah Haji Abdulrahman: all three did us proud by gaining the distinction of a silver award. In total, fourteen girls took up the challenge and three others among them gained a bronze award. This was our best result in recent years.

The department has organised a number of events during the course of the year. In January a group of SFC2s attended a stimulating lecture at the University of Bristol, organised in conjunction with the Royal Society of Chemistry. Entitled ‘Better Looking, Better Living, Better Loving’, the highly entertaining talk by Dr John Emsley highlighted the vital role played by chemistry in enhancing virtually every aspect of our daily lives.

In March almost the entire year group of UC5s attended a day of talks and demonstrations at Bristol’s Colston Hall as part of the ‘GCSE Science Live’ programme. The topics varied from nuclear fusion to genetics; there was something to capture everyone’s attention, no matter what field of science their interests lay in. The day included presentations from a GCSE chief examiner, offering advice on examination technique and preparation. The trip was an excellent opportunity to explore areas of science that lie beyond the confines of the syllabus.

In May a small group of talented LC2s took part in the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry at the University of Bath. This day of talks and competitive practical activities gave them the opportunity to work in sophisticated university laboratories and learn something of what goes on in Chemistry at that level. They were also able to demonstrate just how competent they could be in experimental techniques.

Last summer, during the holidays, Olivia Ahn attended a three-day Chemistry Camp at the University of Bristol. This is an event that has been regularly attended by College girls over the past seven or eight years, and one that is well worth doing. Open to a girl from UC4, the camps include lectures, practical tasks, visits and social activities. This year Olivia managed to succeed where the SFC2 Chemistry Club has significantly failed on more than one occasion, namely in making paracetamol. However, she did have the advantage of using cocaine extracts as her starting material whereas our SFC2s had to start from scratch. The SFC2 club has continued to be a very popular weekly event with a loyal and regular following, carrying out a wide variety of experiments that are challenging, entertaining and spectacular.

In March, Chemistry staff repeated what has now become an annual event, namely the lectures to primary schools. This year pupils from Gardners’ Lane Primary School and The Richard Pate School visited College to be both entertained and educated while watching a series of demonstrations about fuels and rockets. From the looks on their faces we are tempted to hope this may have inspired some future chemists. Their obvious delight made all the effort and preparation extremely worthwhile, and it was a very rewarding experience for the staff involved.

News

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