This online workshop for UK state school students focuses on the 3D shapes of molecules, what the word ‘chiral’ means, the importance of chiral molecules in biology, and about the resources available to research chemists looking at proteins. Additionally, we consider current research focused on the main protease in SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the recent global pandemic. A self-directed resource is included.
State school A level (or equivalent) Chemistry students and teachers are invited to this series of enlightening online talks by our research chemists, followed by a Q&A. Talks will be live and the sessions recorded for use afterwards by subscribers if they are unable to attend.
For 2023-24, live sessions will be held on Mondays from 17:15-18:00* in order to minimise disruption to the school day. Students may attend without a teacher, provided we have a teacher contact and the student signs up with a valid school email address.
Offered on a very limited basis (subject to capacity) to UK state school students studying A level Chemistry (or equivalent), this 1-hour session involves the use of our benchtop IR instruments and the interpretation of spectra.
Held annually on the last Thursday in September, our Autumn Chemistry Conference* is an online event for A level Chemistry (or equivalent) students and their teachers interested in finding out more about the cutting edge research happening in the field of Chemistry.
Invitations to attend in-person are made via our Link Colleges.
Usually offered as part of our Roadshow visits to UK state schools, this 60-minute workshop focuses on hydrogen fuel cells and the possibility of using natural or semi-synthetic enzymes to produce hydrogen. Students make an enzyme fuel cell as part of this workshop and there is a chance to ask questions (via a Teams meeting) of researchers based in Oxford who are working in this and related fields regarding the hydrogen economy.
Roadshows are organised in conjunction with link Colleges.
Usually offered as part of our Roadshow visits to UK state schools, this 60-minute workshop focuses on the work of the Williams Group to develop sustainable polymers. Students consider a qualitative LCA, and analyse polymers using our portable IR instruments, and there is an opportunity to ask questions (via a Teams meeting) of researchers based at Oxford who are working in this field.
Roadshows are organised in conjunction with link Colleges.
Usually offered as part of our Roadshow visits to UK state schools, this 60-minute workshop considers the work of the Schofield Group and the INEOS Oxford Institute (IOI) in their fight against drug-resistant infections. Students undertake a short practical during the workshop investigating possible ‘guardian angel’ molecules that might be suitable candidates for use in combination drugs, and have the opportunity to ask questions (via a Teams meeting) of researchers based at the IOI.
Roadshows are organised in conjunction with link Colleges.
Usually offered as part of our Roadshow visits to UK state schools, this lecture-demonstration is designed to complement the GCSE (or equivalent) curriculum topic of rates of reaction / kinetics. Students have the opportunity to reflect on key concepts, illustrated with suitable practical demonstrations, as well as find out about research in the Department of Chemistry related to kinetics.
Roadshows are organised in conjunction with link Colleges.
The Building Bridges Partnership Project works with selected UK state secondary schools, as agreed with our partner Colleges. The project aims to build science capital and identity, and an understanding of the utility of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths (S.T.E.A.M.), with particular regard to chemistry, within a diverse range of careers.
The Building Bridges Partnership Project works with selected UK state primary schools, as agreed with our partner Colleges. The project provides practical OXbOXes to support curriculum teaching, and, for a limited subset of schools, enrichment activities and visits.
The aims are to build science capital and identity, and an understanding of the utility of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths (S.T.E.A.M.), with particular regard to chemistry, within a diverse range of careers.
This workshop focuses on the work of the Williams Group in making sustainable plastics, and is suitable for a class of state school students in Years 5/6 (England and Wales), P5/6 (Scotland) and P6/7 (NI) in a UK primary school. Co-led with the class teacher, the students will interact with Oxford Chemistry ambassadors via MS Teams, whilst undertaking small-scale investigations using materials which have been sent to the school in advance.
When available, workshops are advertised via our 'What's On?' page (search Plastic Fantastic?).
Offered to UK state schools on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this lecture-demonstration is designed to complement the primary science curriculum. Students have the opportunity to reflect on key concepts, illustrated with suitable practical demonstrations, and learn how the Department of Chemistry's research is contributing to a more sustainable future.
Offered to UK state schools on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this 45/60-minute practical workshop allows Year 5/6 (9-11 yrs) students to investigate endothermic reactions, practising their scientific skills.
Offered to UK state schools on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this 45/60-minute practical workshop allows Year 3/4 (7-8 yrs) students to investigate density, practising their scientific skills.
Offered to UK state schools on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this 30/45-minute practical workshop allows Year 1/2 (5-7 yrs) students to investigate density, practising their scientific skills.
Offered to UK state schools on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this 60-minute practical workshop allows Year 5/6 (9-11 yrs) students to investigate chemical clock reactions, practising their scientific skills.
Offered to UK state schools on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this 90-minute workshop follows on from Chemical Clocks and allows Year 5/6 (9-11 yrs) students to explore how to programme a microbit to monitor chemical reactions and learn about the work of computational chemists at the Department of Chemistry.
Offered on a limited basis (subject to capacity), this training workshop gives teachers and technicians an opportunity to make either a LEGO polarimeter or spectrophotometer, using the instrument(s) to undertake one of our suggested activities to support the learning of A level or GCSE Chemistry.
