Aspiring chemists from across the UK battle it out in Bristol

Press release issued: 21 June 2012

Over 50 young chemists will be pitting their analytical skills against each other in the final of a national competition being held at the University of Bristol. The Year 12 students have battled their way through the heats and are now in with the chance of winning up to £750 if they triumph in the final of the Schools' Analyst Competition, run by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

The Year 12 students have battled their way through the heats and are now in with the chance of winning up to £750 if they triumph in the final of the Schools' Analyst Competition, run by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Eighteen teams from across the country, from as far afield as Belfast, Edinburgh and Truro, will try their hand at various practical and analytical challenges based on problems relevant to industrial or social needs at the University’s School of Chemistry on Tuesday [26 June].

These will be judged for skill, understanding and accuracy while also being expected to promote team work and safety in the laboratory. It is hoped that the competitors will also learn new skills in addition to demonstrating their existing knowledge, skills and aptitude for analytical science.

The practical exercises have been constructed by Tim Harrison and Steve Croker in the School of Chemistry.

Tim Harrison, ChemLabS Director of Outreach, said: “Whilst we have hosted regional heats for this competition for several years, this is the first time that we have welcomed the national finals. It is very pleasing to play host to 50 or so of the UK’s best young, analytical chemists.”

Students will be competing for a Challenge Shield, with the first, second and third placed teams receiving prizes of £750, £500 and £250 respectively. The other finalists will receive £100 each and there are also prizes for the individual team members of the first and runner-up teams.

Brian Woodget, Coordinator for the National School’s Analyst Competition, said: “Over 250 schools compete via heats to reach the final. The competition would not be possible if it were not for the 20 or so university chemistry departments that allow heats to be run in their laboratories and the numerous academic and technical staff who give their time voluntarily to make the whole thing happen. I should particularly like to thank the School of Chemistry at Bristol University for agreeing to host the 2012 final.

“The competition is mainly sponsored by the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund, with additional contributions from other areas of the RSC and the UK’s chemical industry. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking these organisations for their generous sponsorship, both towards the cost of the final and the 20 or so heats.”

Students will spend the evening before the final at At-Bristol, which has been sponsored by the RSC Western Region Analytical Division and Atomic Spectroscopy Group.