Year 12 Sutton Trust Summer School 2024

Yoghurts made by students during the Y12 Sutton Trust Summer School

The department hosted 19 students for the Year 12 Sutton Trust Summer School

Year 12 students spent time in the Department conducting practical work as part of the chemistry stream. This was organized by the Sutton Trust as part of the annual summer school.

On Tuesday morning, the students made yoghurt, and learned about measuring and handling chemicals safely. This was headed by Dr Jakub Radzikowski who is a culinary education designer within the department. The students had the opportunity to take their yoghurt with them to eat!

“I really enjoyed discussing reaction kinetics with the students." Dr Ravi Singh Organic chemistry section

On Tuesday afternoon, the students conducted the ‘iodine clock’ experiment. This taught the students about the importance of timing, and reaction kinetics. Dr Ravi Singh, who led the Year 12 Sutton Trust summer school for the department this year, said "it was great to see the students engaged in this practical. The competition at the end required working in pairs and mixing reagents at different intervals in the hope to synchronize colour changes - the students thoroughly enjoyed this!"

“It's moments like these that we hope can ignite a lifelong passion and curiosity for science.” Dr Benji Fenech Salerno Physical chemistry section

Under the supervision of Dr Benji Fenech Salerno, Dr Reuben White, and Dr Ravi Singh, the students synthesized luminol which has chemiluminescence properties. There was a ‘glow in the dark’ demonstration given by Kat Harris (senior teaching technician) as part of this session. Dr Benji Fenech Salerno said "seeing the students' faces light up as they witnessed the chemiluminescence reaction was a powerful reminder of the joy and wonder that comes with scientific experimentation."

The students returned on Thursday for their final session in the chemistry department. This, under the leadership of Kat Harris and Dr Reuben White, involved the synthesis of a Schiff base which was then complexed to a transition metal. This allowed the students to experience multi-step synthesis whilst also using analytical equipment in the lab (IR, mass spec) to characterize their molecules.

A huge thank you to Raj Sandhu (undergraduate education manger), Kat Harris (senior teaching technician), Dr Benji Fenech Salerno, Dr Reuben White, and Dr Ravi Singh for their support in coordinating and delivering this summer school.