London Metropolitan University hosted the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry on Tuesday 2 April giving Year 8 and 9 students across London a taste of Chemistry and university life.
Date: 5 April 2019
London Metropolitan University’s Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences department, in the School of Human Sciences, collaborated with the Widening Participation and Outreach team to host a day-long event as part of the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry.
The University welcomed students from five schools across London on Tuesday 2 April. The students had access to London Met’s state-of-the-art superlab, which is one of the largest teaching labs in Europe, and the schools took part in competitive hands on practical activities.
After a busy few hours in the lab, students were treated to an interactive tour of London Met’s science facilities which was followed by a prize giving to end the day.
Dr Daniel Sykes, course leader for Chemistry BSc at London Met, said: “It was great inviting the budding young chemists into London Met today and seeing how engaged and enthusiastic they were.
“Widening participation is really important for all we do at London Met and we strive to reach out and give young people a taster of what their future could look like. It was amazing to be able to showcase our chemistry facilities and hopefully inspire these young people to make a difference in their lives.”
The Salters' Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of The Salters' Institute, whose aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences amongst the young, and to encourage careers in the teaching of chemistry and in the UK chemical and allied industries. Events are hosted at a number of educational institutions across the UK.
Liz Routhorn, Widening Participation and Outreach Manager at London Met, said: “Hosting events such as these are so important for London Met as we work with young people across London to show them what university life could be like.
“One of the best things about my role is seeing young people become inspired by visiting a campus and I can almost imagine what their future could look like, at London Met or elsewhere.”
London Met regularly works with partner schools across London to give students of all ages a taste of what university life could be like and how higher education can make a difference to someone’s lifestyle.
