CHILDREN from a number of East Cornwall primary schools took part in the first ever Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) chemistry at work day at Sterts Theatre recently.

The RSC, Cornwall Learning Education Business Partnership, Caradon Co-operative Education Trust and Sterts Theatre in Liskeard organised a chemistry at work day for pupils from Delaware Community Primary School, Gunnislake Primary School, Upton Cross Primary School and Pensilva Primary School to show how important chemistry at work is.

The children were able to have a go at a range of activities so that they could learn about chemistry at work. Activities included the science behind soufflés with The Seafood Restaurant, looking at the chromatography of butterflies with STEM ambassador Chris Gribble, exploding cells with SINNG (Non-Native Invasive Species), biodegradable plastic with SITA and investigating hydrogels with Mr G‘s Science Show.

At the end of the day, the children were all treated to an exciting science show from ‘Mr G’.

Dr Beth Anderson, RSC regional co-ordinator for Chemistry at Work, said: ‘Chemistry at Work aims to introduce school students to their local chemical industry and to demonstrate how the chemistry which they are learning at school is used by a variety of people in their work. The presenters represent a wide range of companies and other organisations. Through interactive presentations they explain applications of chemistry in an easily understandable way.’

Chris Hale, the Caradon Co-operative Trust business manager, said: ‘It was fantastic to have such hands-on activities and the children discovered how important chemistry is in everyday situations both at work and at home.’