Outreach programme
Work Experience
The department regularly hosts a number of Year 10 and Year 12 work experience students.
Year 10 Students
Placements are available for a limited number of students in specific weeks of the year. Applications should normally be made via the Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership.
Year 12 Students
Due to the increasing demand for work experience and project placements, the department now has a competitive application scheme with three deadlines per year. Applications should be sent to Dr. David Nutt (d.nutt@reading.ac.uk) and clearly specify the type of work in which they are interested, as well as explaining how this fits into their future career plans. These will then be sent to suitable members of staff for their consideration. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that placements will always be available. The next deadlines are Monday 14th November (for placements in the Spring term 2012), Monday 20th February (for placements in the Summer term 2012) and Monday 28th May (for placements in the Summer holidays and Autumn term 2012).
Spectroscopy Masterclasses
The spectroscopy masterclass is a whole day event (9.30am – 3.30pm) aimed at students in Year 12 who are interested in pursuing a career in chemistry. In the morning session students are introduced to the techniques of Mass Spectrometry, Infrared Spectroscopy and NMR.
In small groups students have the opportunity to tackle some spectroscopic problems, aided and guided by experienced staff from the Department. They also see the instruments in operation in the Department and examine the spectra produced.
All teaching and examples are at a suitable level for students completing Year 12.
In the afternoon session students hear about some of the applications of chemistry to matters of environmental and technological importance. In addition there is a talk on career prospects in chemistry and factors to consider when choosing a degree course and a University, with some inside information on the UCAS procedure.
Please note that the Masterclass is very popular and these events are limited to 15 students per school.
Spectroscopy Instrument Visits
These are held on certain Wednesday afternoons throughout the year. This is an opportunity for a school or college A level group (max 15 students) to visit the spectroscopy facilities at the University. Guided tours of NMR, IR and the Mass Spectrometers are held followed by a workshop session. Workshops can be tailored to individual needs depending upon the A level syllabus, provided prior information is given.
Aim Higher Schools are given priority booking.
The Salt Cellar Mystery
This is a Forensic Science Activity for Year 11 or 12 students and can be run as a full day event which incorporates practical work or a half day session in which students use police forensics' evidence and fingerprints to solve the crime.
Mrs Smith, a divorcee of mature years, has been found dead – slumped in front of her television. Police visit the scene of crime and have three main suspects. The students are forensic scientists for the day and use fingerprint evidence, simple cation and anion tests and IR spectroscopy to solve the crime. At the end of the day they present their results to the jury.
This event is suitable by prior booking for groups of up to 20 students.
Event priority will be given to Aim Higher Schools.
National Science and Engineering Week Event
Details are not yet available for 2012.
In previous years, the Department has held a lecture or day of activities for pupils of various age groups to celebrate National Science and Engineering Week.
In 2010, Dr David Watson, a lecturer from the Department, wowed the audience with an impressive series of demonstrations using Dry Ice (solid CO2) and Liquid Nitrogen. The lecture was based on the idea of temperature ranges in our solar system and the effect of very low temperatures on air and everyday objects around us. Bluetac, bananas and balloons were amongst the objects dunked into the freezing depths of the Liquid Nitrogen.
Loud exclamations and rounds of applause from the audience showed that this high impact lecture was the perfect way to kick off the week of celebrations.