RGU Riverside East
Secondary school pupils from across the country will converge on Robert Gordon University (RGU) later this month to compete in a national science competition.
A total of 20 teams will compete in the Schools’ Analyst final which aims to promote science and skills development in young people.
Run by the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Analytical Division (RSC) and sponsored by the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund, the competition is for AS level chemistry or equivalent secondary pupils.
The final will take place in RGU’s Riverside East building on Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23 where the teams which have won regional finals will compete against one another.
During the competition each school team, which will consist of three pupils, will try to solve a range of analytical chemistry problems.
They will be required to undertake various practical analytical exercises based on problems in relation to industrial or social needs. The teams will be judged on their skill as well as teamwork, understanding, safety and accuracy within the laboratory.
The competitions aim to challenge participants by providing familiar tasks along with other challenges. The aim is for each team is to learn new skills whilst demonstrating existing knowledge.
A team from Banchory Academy won the Scottish regional final earlier this year and will also compete at RGU. The top three teams in the final will receive prizes of £1,000, £600 and £300.
Dr Graeme Kay, teaching group leader at RGU’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, has worked with colleagues to organise the event.
He said: “We are looking forward to welcoming teams to RGU for the final of The Schools’ Analyst competition. The University has hosted Scottish Regional Heats in the past but this is our first time hosting the final.
“We have made our state-of-the-art lab facilities available and we hope to see the pupils learning new science and analytical skills during the competition.”
Professor John R. Dean, who is the Royal Society of Chemistry Analytical Division lead on Education and Skills, said: “We were delighted when RGU agreed to host the final of the 2015 Schools’ Analyst Competition.
“Having visited the University’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences I was impressed with the new laboratories and the organisation of the competition, and am looking forward to see how the teams get on in the final.”
The competition has been running since 1982 where it was first held at London Metropolitan University.
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a not-for-profit organisation with a heritage that spans 170 years.
It invests in educating future generations of scientists whilst raising and maintaining standards. Royal Society of Chemistry connects with industry and academia, promoting collaboration, innovation and advising governments on policy.