National Schools Analyst competition tests students’ forensic skills

Our Analytical Division held its annual National Schools Analyst competition at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) on 23 and 24 June. Organised by Brian Woodget, coordinator of many previous Schools Analyst competitions, the event took on a forensic theme this year, with UCLan staff Dr Robert Smith and William Stockburn constructing a series of experiments around this topic.

Sponsored by the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund and various companies, the aim of the event is to encourage secondary school students to study chemistry at university, and to introduce analytical chemistry as a possible career option.

Example tasks of this year’s event included EDTA titration, fluorescence spectroscopy and HPLC, which meant that the teams had to demonstrate high-level chemistry skills. The first prize went to year 12 students Anthony Wong, Max Thomas and Bettina Chan of Charterhouse School in Surrey, who won £50 Amazon vouchers each and £1,000 for their school. They also retain possession of the National Schools Analyst shield, which they had already won last year.

The competition for second place was fierce, and the judges finally decided to grant a joint second place. They awarded both the Down High School in Northern Ireland and the Holyhead School in Wales £600 and £30 Amazon vouchers for the participants. Third place went to Vardean College in Brighton, which received £300 and £20 vouchers for the participating students.