Spectroscopy in a Suitcase Success

spectra is rapidly produced

Outreach activity enabling school students the chance to learn more about spectroscopy through hands-on experience.

The Royal Society of Chemistry's Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (SIAS) scheme is an outreach activity which gives school students the chance to learn more about spectroscopy through hands-on experience. As well as covering the principles of spectroscopic techniques, the activities use real-life contexts to demonstrate the applications of the techniques. 

Imperial College London has hosted a SIAS kit comprising an infra-red and UV-Vis spectrometer since 2012.  School visits are coordinated by the RSC UK and Ireland Coordinator Dr Claire Doyle, based in the Imperial Outreach Office and delivered by trained Undergraduate and Postgraduate students from the Chemistry Department.  In addition to complementing the study of spectroscopy at AS and A-Level, there is a strong emphasis on encouraging school pupils to consider studying chemistry at Higher Education and the career opportunities available.

The 2014-15 academic year saw an increase in the number of events delivered by Imperial Outreach as a result of extra funding provided by the RSC with 55 schools visited, 1750 school students reached and 30 Imperial UG’s and PG’s engaged in the project.

A new portable NMR spectrometer was obtained in October allowing a greater variety of workshops to be offered and these have been very well received in schools.  Dr Doyle reflected on a very productive and successful year for the project: "We’ve been really pleased with the success of SIAS in schools, especially with our new portable NMR spectrometer.  2015/16 is already looking to be just as busy!”