The students represented the college at the North West heat of the 2011 Schools’ Analyst Competition hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University .

 

The teams demonstrated their knowledge, skill and aptitude for analytical science by carrying out a variety of complex practical experiments which included the forensic identification of an unknown drug sample.

 

Chemistry teacher Mrs Livesey said the tasks were designed to test not just their accuracy and understanding, but also their time management and team working skills.

 

“Our students did a fantastic job, they worked really well together,” commented Chemistry teacher Mrs Livesey, “and the competition allowed them to gain relevant experience of analytical chemistry using both familiar and unfamiliar techniques.”

 

AS Chemistry students Nicholas Hadden, Thomas Barnett and Kirstie Li joined 17 other teams at the competition. All three students agreed it had been an immensely enjoyable day and a fantastic opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the hi-tech equipment available in a university laboratory.

 

The students also attended lectures on Careers in Chemistry, delivered by RSC Chemnet ambassador Craig Bruce, and by Andrew Skae from the Firearms Unit of the Manchester Forensic Science Service.