Information for schools
We enjoy interacting with schools that have active science departments and arrange special events where we attempt to make science, particularly chemistry relevant to everyday life.
As part of National Science Week, we can visit your school or you can arrange to visit us. We accept pupils in years 7 – 11 for visits at any time of the year. We favour a hands-on approach and set them loose (under close supervision!) in our teaching laboratories.
We split the pupils into small groups and let them carry out specially developed experiments. They are designed to bring home how chemistry and chemical engineering principles underpin so much of our day to day living. To keep attention levels high, we tend to have a bit of a focus on foods. Examples of experiments are:
1. Why does candy floss? Experience life as a fairground candy floss seller and learn about the science behind small and large scale candy floss production. Pupils, of course, get to make and eat the candy floss too!
2. How do we smell? And taste? Pupils are given a range of artificial flavours to identify by smell. They also have to identify a mystery flavour used in a popular range of food and drinks.
3. Why do corns pop? The science of small and large scale popcorn manufacturing is explained and they again get to taste the fruits of their labours.
4. Why is the water that comes from your tap clean? Pupils learn about how water is filtered at a waste water treatment plant and get to conduct some filtration experiments using chemically contaminated water.
5. Why do smoke rings form? Smoke rings are made using our purpose-built smoke rig.
6. How does tomato ketchup flow? The viscosity of liquids using tomato ketchup, corn flour, vegetable oil and other readily available kitchen products is investigated.
If your school is interested in a visit to the Department to experience chemical and process engineering in action, please contact:
Mr Michael White
Schools Liaison Support
Tel: 0114 222 7576
email : m.i.white@sheffield.ac.uk
For more information about chemical engineering please visit:
