RSC Schools’ Analyst Competition

Twenty-two Year 13 pupils participated in the RSC Schools’ Analyst Competition. This Practical Challenge is aimed at students in their first year of study of the A-level Chemistry course and provides an opportunity for developing teamwork and problem-solving skills, in addition to demonstrating chemistry knowledge linking to curricular content. 

Each year, the challenge is set in a different context. This year, the students had to take on the role of analytical scientists, analysing soil from an old industrial site to see if the site would be suitable for building houses on. They had to test and determine the concentration of a known pollutant, analyse using chromatography a dye located in the soil, and carry out more familiar tests to ascertain the metal cations and non-metal anions present in the soil. 

The winning team consisted of Christopher Cardwell, Rebekah McBride and Nasi Yordanov. Congratulations, not only did they achieve the highest mark in Dalriada out of the seven teams taking part, but they were also the highest in Northern Ireland, making them the Regional Winners. Each team member received a £50 gift card.