RGU opens its doors to young scientists of the future

RGU’s commitment to developing the scientists of the future has seen them host the competition’s heats for the past five years, together in an effective partnership with the University of Aberdeen.

More than 20 pupils from 7 Scottish schools worked hard to solver a number of analytical puzzles at RGU’s Sir Ian Wood Building on Friday 8 March, to see who would advance to the national finals later this year.

The International School Aberdeen won the heats, showing exceptional skills and earning the chance to represent Scotland at Manchester University this summer.

The runner-up teams were Robert Gordon’s College and Elgin Academy.

The teams were required to undertake various practical analytical exercises and were judged on their scientific skills, as well as teamwork, understanding, safety and accuracy within the laboratory.

The annual competition is open to all AS level or Higher level chemistry pupils and aims to encourage scientific interest and intrigue among the young.

Dr Graeme Kay, Academic Strategic Lead in Chemical Sciences at RGU’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, said: “It was a delight to once again host the heats this year and I was encouraged to see how engaged all of the pupils were in each of the tasks.

“The School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences has long made it a core priority to work with young people across the region to encourage scientific interest, with the hope that the scientists of tomorrow will have a real impact on society.”

The RSC, the world’s leading chemistry community, has a proud heritage of investing in educating future generations of scientists for over 175 years. It has been running the Schools’ Analyst competition since 1982.

Professor John R. Dean, International Coordinator of the Schools’ Analyst Competition on behalf of the Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund and the Analytical Division (AD) of the RSC added: “The original idea for the Competition started at a very local level at London Metropolitan University in 1982. Subsequently other regions within the AD of the RSC became involved and so it was launched nationally in 1990. We are delighted that now all 9 AD Regions fully participate in the competition.

“In 2019, the 30th running of the international final of the Schools’ Analyst Competition, will be held at Manchester University. Each year we have seen growth in the number of participants and schools participating with the biggest competition to date being held in 2018, with 26 regional winning teams attending the final at Bangor University. This was after 1032 Year 12 students, from 344 schools, had participated across all AD Regions.”