Bright sparks flock to chemistry camp

Fifty students from schools throughout the UK have been selected to participate in a residential chemistry camp at the University of St Andrews.

The Salters’ Camp (13-16 June 2006) will allow the 15-year olds students to participate in the fun of chemistry and motivate them to develop both awareness of – and a long-term interest in – the subject through an action-packed week’s programme.

Each student will be given an opportunity to tackle a variety of new activities. They will become CSI Technicians when they are called upon to use several different forensic techniques to help identify a criminal. They will investigate chemiluminescence or ‘cold light’ and find out what makes fireflies glow and explore how aspirin is made.

Dr Nigel Botting, Lecturer in the University’s School of Chemistry said, “The chemistry camp is an excellent way to encourage pupils to study chemistry by seeing its real world applications and getting a feel for chemistry research in the University. Chemistry has a poor public image and St Andrews is keen to be involved in activities like the chemistry camp which aim to demonstrate the benefits of the subject”.

They will also be participating in an activity based on materials science to find out the properties of slime and to make bubbles!

In addition, students will be able to see chemistry applied in industry by visiting the INEOS site. But it’s not all chemistry – there is a varied social programme for the campers including tenpin bowling and a beach barbeque.

The Salters’ Chemistry Camp at the University of St Andrews is sponsored by: The Salters’ Institute; The Armourers and Brasiers’ Company; The Association for the British Pharmaceutical Industry; Institution of Chemical Engineers; The Royal Society and The Royal Society of Chemistry.

ENDS

For more information please contact –

Miss Lesley Grout The Communications Manager Salters’ Hall Fore Street London EC2Y 5DE Tel: 020 7628 5962 ext 260 Fax: 020 7638 3679 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.chemistrycamps.co.uk

Issued by Beattie Media – www.beattiegroup.com On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, please contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or [email protected]; Ref: press releases/salters2006 View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk