Chemistry on the move
Spectroscopy in a Suitcase is a Royal Society of Chemistry outreach initiative, bringing portable spectrometers into the classroom. Hosts across the UK and Ireland deliver free workshops in schools, using portable Infrared (IR), UV-visible or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers.
Spectroscopy features on the chemistry curriculum for all 16–18 year olds across the UK and Ireland, but it’s a subject that can be hard for students to grasp without any context. Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (SIAS) gives school students the opportunity to learn about spectroscopy through hands-on experience.
As well as covering the principles of spectroscopic techniques, the activities use real-life examples to demonstrate the applications of the techniques.
Mrs Dowds, Head of Chemistry at Hunterhouse College, Belfast, says that the workshops really help to consolidate students’ understanding.
"Spectroscopy in a Suitcase is an excellent workshop that really helps students to confirm and visualise their knowledge of spectroscopic techniques", she said.
Since it was first piloted in 2008, the SIAS initiative has expanded to reach all corners of the UK and Ireland. From St Ives in Cornwall to the Western Isles of Scotland, we are now in partnership with 35 hosts based in university chemistry departments and science and discovery centres nationwide.
In 2015 they visited 660 schools and worked with over 21,000 students.
SIAS workshops are delivered by visiting staff or students from a nearby host. Bringing school students into contact with universities is a key aspect of the workshop, allowing budding scientists to ask questions about further study in chemistry and life at university.
For many students, this is their first time meeting a chemist. Hearing about these role models’ experiences and research can give students the confidence and encouragement to pursue a future in chemistry or science.
"It really opened our students’ eyes to the possibilities of future research and careers in chemistry", said Dr Seán Meally, Head of Chemistry at Finchley Catholic High School.
University students devote a lot of time and energy to deliver SIAS, often leading sessions with their peers and liaising directly with teachers. These ambassadors gain a lot from the experience. Through delivering SIAS they develop skills outside of their usual studies or research. It’s a great opportunity to improve their communication and organisational skills. Some students even go back to their old schools to run workshops!
Dr Ciaran Ewins, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland, emphasised that the ambassadors can be inspiration: “It really means something for the school students to see an enthusiastic and knowledgeable student – who is only a couple of years ahead of them – running a workshop.”
At a recent visit to Comberton Village College, in Cambridgeshire, Year 12 and 13 students (pictured) took the opportunity to use portable spectrometers during a two-hour workshop. The workshop facilitator gave a refresher on spectroscopy and put the techniques into context, discussing their uses in research, industry and numerous other areas. The students had to solve a forensics mystery and determine whether a victim had died from an aspirin overdose.
They could even analyse their own aspirin products generated from a previous synthesis practical, and compare their results with industry standard spectra.
Given the variation in curricula across the country, host institutions deliver workshops based around different themes.
Examples include analysing spillages in Formula 1 garages, comparing paint pigments and exploring anti-doping in sports. Many of these resources are also available online, supporting teachers with spectroscopy in the classroom without using the kit.
Widening participation
In an effort to widen participation, this year we piloted a series of rural tours across more isolated areas of the country, including the Western Isles and Galway and South East Ireland, and we will soon visit the Isle of Man.
These tours are exceptionally important. Logistically, it can be difficult for hosts to visit geographically isolated schools or for these schools to attend events. As a result, they are often left neglected and under-supported.
To address this, five universities spent three to five days visiting different schools located several hours from a SIAS host institution, engaging hundreds of students with spectroscopy along the way.
Following this year’s success, we are actively investigating opportunities to embed rural tours within the broader SIAS programme, so every student has access to this inspiring and relevant scheme.
Tours in Ireland were possible thanks to a generous grant from Science Foundation Ireland. Supporting education and engagement with STEM in Ireland, their Discover Programme funding has allowed us to start embedding SIAS activity in Ireland. By September we will have six hosts across the province, delivering workshops to nearly 3,000 students throughout the academic year. In particular, we’ll be supporting young people to explore the many careers in chemistry that are available on their doorstep.
Niamh Lyons, from Science Foundation Ireland, says: "As Ireland’s national foundation for investment in scientific and engineering research, we recognise the value of inspiring our next generation of scientists. Spectroscopy in a Suitcase provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical insight into chemistry research in academia and industry."
In 2013, we partnered with the Welsh National Science Academy (NSA), who have supported the growth of SIAS in Wales. As a result, we now have the capacity to work with over 80% of schools teaching AS/A level chemistry in Wales, including in the native Welsh language. With the support of NSA we piloted the use of NMR spectrometers in SIAS workshops, before rolling them out as part of the national programme.
This academic year there are more universities and schools involved with Spectroscopy in a Suitcase than ever before and we hope to reach over 800 schools before the summer holidays. Looking ahead, we’re excited to develop the scheme, making spectroscopy even more accessible to students and teachers throughout the UK and Ireland. If you want more information or know a chemistry teacher who would like to book a free workshop for their school, look on our SIAS pages.
Keep up to date with adventures in Spectroscopy in a Suitcase on Twitter, using #RSCSIAS.
Spectroscopy in a Suitcase UK and Ireland Coordinator
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