The University of Sheffield
Department of Chemistry

Activities 

As a Chemistry department we are very keen to see the subject fully implemented into the school and college curriculum to get young people interested in science. However, we also appreciate the drain on school and college resources is huge and so we run a series of activities free of charge to reinforce the teaching in schools for all age groups.

If you are interested in using our facility, please visit our Booking page and then fill in the booking form, or email us at chem.schools@sheffield.ac.uk.

 

Laboratory classes Spectroscopy workshops Secondary school lectures Primary school workshops

Laboratory classLaboratory classes

Aimed at years seven to 13

Chemists do reactions and make things. The purpose of these laboratory classes is to introduce students to practical chemistry in a modern, well-equipped university laboratory environment. The event serves to enthuse students by giving a relevant and contemporary experience of chemical synthesis and investigation coupled with use of the department's cutting edge analytical technology (such as IR and NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography).

A number of experiments are available, some being directly applicable to student syllabuses, but all designed to interest and encourage students in their chemistry studies. We can also tailor a day for your needs and offer different experiments. A selection of current experiments is below:

  • Preparation of paracetamol
  • Preparation of aspirin
  • Dehydration of an alcohol
  • Isolation of euginol from cloves
  • Isolation of trimyristin from nutmeg
  • Who murdered Mrs Smith?
  • Fun with colour

There are a number of points to consider:

  • There is no cost for using our facility except for staff time and transportation costs
  • We would prefer to cater for student groups of 10 or 12 with a maximum of two groups visiting on any given day. Each group of students can then work in similar laboratory areas
  • Different groups can perform the same or different experiments
  • Staff from the Chemistry department supervise, demonstrate and teach each experiment but we require two members of staff from the school (per group) to ensure adequate safety cover and make the students feel at home
  • All safety apparatus (including safety glasses) will be provided but we would expect the students to supply their own lab coats (however we do have a limited number which can be borrowed for the day)
  • An area for morning, lunch and afternoon breaks is available. We do not provide food, and so advise students to bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, the Students Union has a number of very reasonably priced food outlets that can be easily reached

If you are interested in using our facility, as a first step please visit our Booking page and then fill in the booking form, or email us at chem.schools@sheffield.ac.uk. We like to discuss the types of experiment you want your students to perform and the date(s) for your visit. If you decide to come to the department for this, you can also have a look around the department and allows us to put a face to a name.

Spectroscopic workshopSpectroscopy workshops

Aimed at A-level students

To help students understand spectroscopic analytical techniques better, the department of Chemistry runs a half day spectroscopic workshops for schools and colleges. As a leading research department we have a huge range of analytical equipment within the department.

These visits generally take place on Wednesday afternoons and run throughout the academic year. Students can be set the task of identifying three "unknown" compounds, or analysis of your own samples can be done using:

  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
  • Mass-spectrometry
  • Infra-red spectroscopy

Starting with an overview of the various techniques, students are split into groups and move round, running their unknown and being taught about each spectroscopic technique by a specialist. There is a full teachers pack containing teaching material in both printed and electronic format available on request.

If you are interested in arranging a spectroscopic workshop, please visit our Booking page and then fill in the booking form, or email us at chem.schools@sheffield.ac.uk.

Secondary school lectureSecondary school lectures

Aimed at years seven to 13

The Chemistry department has extensive experience in delivering interactive demonstration lectures to school children of all ages. These include research style lectures in addition to educational and careers based talks. Staff from the department can travel to the schools to give their presentations there, or student groups can come to the University. Twice a year, the department also hosts Schools Lectures supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

For more information, visit our Booking page and then fill in the booking form, or email us at chem.schools@sheffield.ac.uk.

Primary school workshopPrimary school workshops

Aimed at years two to six

When children are at primary school, they are at their most inquisitive. To take advantage of this perfect opportunity to inspire young people, we have put together a selection of fun workshops for primary school classes. All of these are free, and we bring everything we need including lab coats, glasses and chemicals for all of the children.

The experiments currently on offer are preparing polymer slime and preparing bath bombs. Both of these can be taken home after the workshop!

For more information, visit our Booking page and then fill in the booking form, or email us at chem.schools@sheffield.ac.uk.