Salters Chemistry Festival

by Dr Imtiyaz Thagia,
Teacher of Science

Chemistry explains how the world around us works. After all, everything (including us) is made up of atoms and chemical compounds. By knowing the basics, we know what is happening around us.

Four pupils from Years 7 and 8 were chosen to represent Hodgson Academy at the annual Salters Chemistry Festival, held at Lancaster University. The pupils were Phoebe Poulter, Samuel Webster, Isobel Osborne and Harry Mann.

The aim of this festival was to encourage involvement and an interest in Chemistry. Pupils had to compete in two challenges with pupils using various analytical techniques such as chromatography and chemical separation to identify chemical compounds. In the next challenge, pupils were asked to create a rainbow using indicator and chemicals. Something which can be quite challenging!!!

 It was a fierce competition with nine other schools; however, Team Hodgson did amazingly well coming in second place. The judges said it was a very close call and noted the team’s professionalism and enthusiasm. Well done to our future scientists!