Extension Chemistry Course
Summer 2022
To register, contact [email protected].
Designed for students going into Year 13, these extension chemistry classes are designed to enrich and expand a student’s knowledge and understanding beyond the scope of the curriculum. Building on top of familiar concepts, these sessions act to help draw links between different areas of chemistry to give a more cohesive view of the subject and it’s applications.
The sessions are structured in an exploratory format. Whilst the start of the sessions are carefully planned to introduce students to new, complicated subject areas, much of the session is dedicated for students to explore the content, with our team of subject experts there to help guide them. We find this very active method leads to students learning the most, and puts them in an environment where they can truly experience the joy of discovering new idea and concepts in a way that they cannot in school.
We find this method to be preferred by the students, and additionally gives a taste of a seminar or tutorial they might experience in higher education. It also acts as excellent preparation for university admissions, both in terms of written statements and interviews.
This course consists of 4 sessions of 3 hours each, structured over the summer holidays.
Course synopsis
Session 1: Organic chemistry
How do we synthesise complex molecules?
What actually goes on in a mechanism?
We will answer these questions by looking at some new classes of compounds to uncover some of the underlying principles needed to synthesis common and novel molecules.
Session 2: Physical and quantum chemistry
What actually is an electron?
How can it be in two places at once?
We delve into the realm of quantum mechanics to gain an understanding of why we represent electrons in a number of different ways and how these interact with each other.
Session 3: Inorganic chemistry
What “transition” occurs in the transition metals?
Why can they be so colourful?
Following on from the quantum appoach to physical chemistry, we apply some of these ideas to the transition metals, using electron orbitals to explain some of their strange behaviour.
Session 4: Chemistry in devices
How does a battery work?
What are the alternatives to batteries?
Chemistry features heavily in many every day and specialist devices. Covering batteries and other emerging technologies we will explore some of the many applications of chemistry.
More information
To find out more about the course, or to register interest, please email [email protected].
In order to make the course as accessible as possible, we provide bursary places for those who need - please get in contact if you would like to be considered for this.
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