From the lab to the classroom

Chemistry teachers from every corner of Scotland will descend on the University of St Andrews next week (Friday 7 June 2002) to learn about the latest developments in the world of chemistry and how they can take them back to their classrooms.

The Sixth National Scottish Meeting for Teachers of Chemistry will cover a mix of curriculum related material and talks on research at the cutting edge of chemistry by the UK’s leading experts.

“Chemistry: Challenges for the Future” will include a talk from Dr Douglas Philp from the University of St Andrews who will talk on “Chemistry and the origins of life”. Meanwhile, Douglas Buchanan from the University of Edinburgh will discuss “Chemistry through the looking glass” where he will be looking at future developments in chemistry in schools to improve its image and popularity. In the afternoon, Dr Wilson Flood, Education Consultant will answer the question, “Why did the Vikings call it Greenland?” Professor Charles Stirling from the University of Sheffield will take “A light-hearted look at chirality” (the “handedness” of molecules – very important especially in drug design and the subject of Professor Stirling’s Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, televised on the BBC several years ago). Dr John Johnston from the Royal Society of Chemistry will also give an insight into the RSC.

This year, there will also be awards of prizes made to Royal Society of Chemistry Poster Competition Winners, presented by Dr Sylvia Jackson MSP. Dr Jackson is the Deputy Convener of the Local Government committee and, prior to entering politics, was herself a Chemistry teacher before becoming involved in education research. The competition, which was open to all Scottish schools, assigned the task of designing a poster illustrating how chemistry will help improve life in years to come. (NOTE TO EDITORS: Details of winners available on Friday 7 June 2002).

The event is organised by the University of St Andrews School of Chemistry’s Dr Nigel Botting and Dr Wilson Flood, Education Consultant, and supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS – If you wish to send a reporter/photographer to the event, please report to the front door of the Purdie Building, School of Chemistry, North Haugh, St Andrews at 10am on Friday 7 June 2002. Full programme of day’s events also available from Claire Grainger.

Issued by Beattie Media on behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information please contact Claire Grainger on 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or email [email protected] Ref: chemteach2002/standrews/chg/31may20 02