Chemistry in Action

Following a fascinating day at Chemistry in Action in March, Lower 6th chemists dived deeper into the content of some of their favourite talks to complete independent projects. The pieces of work that were submitted were enormously varied, but all involved detailed research, thoughtful analysis, adept use of technical vocabulary and excellent presentation skills. Essays and PowerPoint presentations covered topics as diverse as the use of nuclear power in space exploration, competing theories about how we smell different substances, the links between odours and memory, explosives and the chemical reactions found in fairytales. Meanwhile, a stop-motion animation about sustainable mining and use of metals linked Chemistry and Geography with digital media skills and a presentation about dental materials involved both model making and a foray into the Collinson House fridge to see which of the boarders’ preferred condiments contained acids! Other pupils even chose to develop their practical skills and synthesised molecules that mimic fruit fragrances. They then went on to enthusiastically explain their work and see if prospective families could match the fresh fruit to the fragrance molecules at Open Day. It’s very exciting to know that the next generation of celebrated science communicators may come from Mill Hill!