ALL THE EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. e-mail: simpsonwmctc@gmail.com |
| Date | Title | |
| Tuesday 24 September 2019 | AUTUMN MEETING FOR TEACHERS OF CHEMISTRY. CHEESE AND WINE (and soft drinks) (Teachers CPD meeting) |
Details |
| Tuesday 1 October 2019 | SMACK, CRACK, SPEED AND WEED: A FORENSIC CHEMISTS TALE (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 15 October 2019 | DISCOVERING NEW MEDICINES: THE ROLE OF THE CHEMIST (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 5 November 2019 | THE CHEMISTRY OF ALL HALLOWS' EVE AND BONFIRE NIGHT (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 19 November 2019 | THE PERIODIC TABLE
MENDELEEV'S GIFT TO EVERYONE (INCLUDING YOU AND ME) (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Wednesday 27 November 2019 | CHEMISTRY AND ENERGY: FROM STEAM TO NUCLEAR POWER Lecture Demonstration (University of Wolverhampton) (Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students) | Details |
| 30 November 2019 | WMCTC CHEMISTRY QUIZ: THE FINALS (Year 10 and Year 11) Last date for applications | Details |
| Tuesday 3 December 2019 | CHEMICAL MAGIC
(Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 14 January 2020 | DRUGS IN SPORT
(Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 28 January 2020 | ASTROCHEMISTRY - THE CHEMICAL COSMOS
(Sixth Form) | Details |
| February 2020 | Teachers CPD Meeting) | Details |
| Tuesday 11 February 2020 | CHEMICAL ENGINEERING OF CHOCOLATE CREME EGGS (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 3 March 2020 | WMCTC CHEMISTRY QUIZ: THE FINALS (Year 10 and Year 11) Please apply by 30 November 2019 | Details |
| Tuesday 10 March 2020 | ADVANCED LEVEL REVISION 1: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY MECHANISMS (Sixth form) | Details |
| Tuesday 24 March 2020 CANCELLED |
ADVANCED LEVEL REVISION 2: ELECTRODE POTENTIALS, CELLS, REDOX AND REACTIVITY (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Wednesday 25 March 2020 CANCELLED |
COLOURFUL CHEMISTRY | Details |
| Wednesday 1 July 2020 CANCELLED |
Lecture Demonstration (Aston University) (Year 9 and Year 10 students) | |
| Tuesday 22 September 2020 |
We went online Autumn Meeting for Teachers of Chemistry "Updates for your Chemistry Teaching" (ABM & Teachers Meeting) | Details |
| Tuesday 29 September 2020 | Discovering New Medicines: The Role of the Chemist (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 13 October 2020 | Chirality, Smell, Drugs and Chemistry (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 3 November 2020 | The Climate Emergency: What's the science and what should we do? (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 17 November 2020: | The Elements of Chemistry (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 1 December 2020 | Fireworks (Sixth Form) | Details |
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Venue: King Edward VI High School for Girls (B15 2UB) AUTUMN MEETING FOR ALL TEACHERS OF CHEMISTRY CHEESE AND WINE (and Soft Drinks) "UNIVERSITY APPLICATION AND ADMISSION PROCEDURES" As usual, the evening will be a marvellous networking opportunity in a relaxed environment, with light refreshments being served. Meet new colleagues or renew old contacts. Why not invite your colleagues to this evening? Perhaps you would like to make a positive contribution to the continuing development of Chemical Education in the Midlands Region? If so, you may wish to join the WMCTC Committee as one of our teacher representatives. NQT or experienced teacher - your input will be very welcome and much appreciated. Please let us know. The WMCTC Annual Business Meeting takes place during the evening and the agenda includes the election of teacher representatives to serve on the Committee - an excellent CPD opportunity. A Certificate of Attendance will be available for your Portfolio There is no Registration Fee If you would like to come to this Meeting, please email the Chair (Jill Oldfield: wmctcchair@gmail.com ) as soon as possible giving your name, school/college address, telephone number and preferred email address. |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 "SMACK, CRACK, SPEED AND WEED - A FORENSIC CHEMIST'S TALE"  By popular request, essential information for scientifically literate students. And you thought that you knew it all! Try not to miss this one! Dr Mike Griffin, Metropolitan Police Laboratory Drugs Division (Retired). Sixth Form Lecture. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed. TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 “ DISCOVERING NEW MEDICINES: THE ROLE OF THE CHEMIST” Chemistry is the cornerstone in the continuing search for new medicines. Since the efforts of William Henry Perkins to synthesise the antimalarial quinine in the mid nineteenth century, chemists have used their skills to prepare compounds for the treatment of disease. This talk will start with a brief review of the treatment of ailments through the ages, and from there go on to look at the work of Perkin which led others to the discovery of the sulphonamide antibiotics. The many roles played by chemists in the modern drug discovery process will be considered, looking at how chemical synthesis, natural product isolation, and genome data are used to generate promising compounds, and how these are developed into successful drugs. Dr John Snaith, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. Sixth Form Lecture. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 (starting time changed from 7.00 pm to 7.30 pm) "THE CHEMISTRY OF ALL HALLOWS' EVE AND BONFIRE NIGHT" .jpg)
Join other Sixth Formers and their teachers for an entertaining and enlightening demonstration-lecture on the Chemistry involved in Halloween and Bonfire Night, delivered by Tim Harrison and Saskia O'Sullivan. This presentation, suitably illustrated with a large number of demonstrations, will take you through the common features that make up the celebrations of these two events, uncovering the chemistry involved, as well as touching on historical facts and special effects used in blockbusters, such as Harry Potter and Ghostbusters. Expect some ghoulish surprises and bangs! Tim Harrison has been Bristol ChemLabS Director of Outreach since 2010, as well as being the Science Communicator in Residence. Tim is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Chartered Chemist, a member of the Royal Society of South Africa, and a Member of the Royal Society of Biology. He is also an Official Collaborator of the "Instituto Nacional de Ciência Tecnologia (Brazil) - Catálise". Tim has won numerous awards for his work in education and outreach and works with a large number of primary and secondary schools, as well as several universities across the globe. Saskia O'Sullivan taught Chemistry for over twelve years in secondary schools in the South-West, as a teacher, Head of Department and Deputy Head (Academic), before taking time out to teach undergraduates as a Specialist Junior Demonstrator in the Department of Chemistry at Oxford University. Tim Harrison (University of Bristol) and Saskia O'Sullivan (University of Oxford). Sixth Form Lecture. TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 In celebration of 150 Years of the Periodic Table "THE PERIODIC TABLE: MENDELEEV'S GIFT TO EVERYONE (INCLUDING YOU AND ME)" 
In our speaker's own words: "This lecture will be quite unusual. It will show how Mendeleev's genius was to create the Periodic Table as something that anyone can use as a highly flexible framework for expressing their chemical ideas. It will do this by taking you on a brief tour around my office at the University of Nottingham and showing you some of the different periodic tables and other objects that decorate the room. The tour will include aspects of my research on Green Chemistry, will discuss why some elements are in danger of "running out" and will explain why I decided to turn the Periodic Table upside down." Sir Martyn Poliakoff is a Research Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham where he teaches green chemistry. Originally an inorganic chemist, he has researched in many different areas and his published work involves more than 50 different elements. In recent years, Sir Martyn has become well known for his collaboration with videomaker Brady Haran, making the Periodic Table of Videos on YouTube, www.periodicvideos.com Sixth Form Lecture. TOP of PAGE |
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(Jointly organised with the Association for Science Education and the Royal Society of Chemistry ) Venue: University of Wolverhampton, Chancellor's Hall "CHEMISTRY AND ENERGY: FROM STEAM TO NUCLEAR POWER"  Exciting Chemistry to delight and fascinate the young audience of future Chemists. This demonstration lecture will consider the chemistry involved in the production and harnessing of energy. From Thomas Newcomen's first successful steam engine in the world, used to pump water from coal mines of Lord Dudley's estates in 1712, to modern day nuclear electricity generating power stations - and a lot more along the way. The important role of chemists in developing new materials that convert energy more efficiently and in a less polluting manner will be highlighted when considering energy materials for the future. Presented by Dr Mark S D Read, Senior Lecturer in Computational Solid State Chemistry, University of Birmingham. The event is FREE but TICKETS are needed. Interested teachers should apply for tickets as soon as possible using this link : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chemistry-and-energy-from-steam-to-nuclear-power-tickets-62845519641 Any enquiries about this event please contact STEMOutreach@wlv.ac.uk or Zoe Mason zoe.mason@wlv.ac.uk or Heather Angell h.angell2@wlv.ac.uk TOP of PAGE |
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(starting time changed from 7.00 pm to 7.30 pm) Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 “CHEMICAL MAGIC”  
By popular request, their majestic maestros masterfully maximise mysteriously many moving memorable magical momentous magnificant masquerades metaphorically. Once more, the dynamic duo will cast their spells. See the magic for yourselves - be entertained and inspired. Dr Ray Plevey & Mrs Rosemary Plevey, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. Sixth Form Lecture Demonstration. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 THE P F FRANKLAND MEMORIAL LECTURE “DRUGS IN SPORT”  A high topical subject particularly in Olympic Year. An opportunity to get to grips with this important issue. What are they? What do they do? Do they have side-effects? How are they detected? Dr Simon Cotton, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. Sixth Form Lecture Demonstration. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 ASTROCHEMISTRY - THE CHEMICAL COSMOS 
Astronomers use basically the same tools as chemical spectroscopists to look at stars linking spectrographs to their telescopes to measure the spectra of distant objects. Some objects, such as our Sun, produce relatively simple spectra showing the range of atoms present in the star. Other objects, such as low mass stars and "failed stars" or brown dwarfs, are so cool that their spectra is full of molecular fingerprints. However, in fact the spectra of all objects, as they grow older, become richer. We see evidence for the formation of molecules in the cooler parts of the stellar envelope. These molecules can be released from the stars into the interstellar medium only to be reduced to their constituent atoms by the harsh radiation environment to be found there. So, let us take a look at how astrochemists explore a chemically controlled cosmos using the tools of a chemist and an astronomer. Dr June McCombie, School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham. Sixth Form Lecture. TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 "CHEMICAL ENGINEERING OF CHOCOLATE CRÈME EGGS"  The secrets of the crème egg revealed. Chocoholics beware - is this the time to diet and watch the calories? Let others indulge? Trick or treat? And did you know that in 2016 the Institution of Chemical Engineers Salary Survey reported that Chemical Engineers are the best paid group of engineers and have the potential to earn more than doctors, lawyers and accountants? The median salary for UK chemical engineers is £57,000 rising to £73,000 for Chartered £hemical £ngineers for the professional "high-fliers". The average graduate starting salary is £28,500. No, I didn't think you knew about £hat. Please remember to pass the chocolates. Professor Peter Fryer, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham Sixth Form Lecture. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed TOP of PAGE |
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“WMCTC CHEMISTRY QUIZ: THE FINALS” Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth Building. Once more, let battle commence - the last ten teams test their knowledge and understanding of Chemistry. Coordinated by Dr Mark Read: m.s.d.read@bham.ac.uk See Quiz Tab for an entry form – please reply by 30 November 2019 TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 "ADVANCED LEVEL REVISION: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY MECHANISMS" Worried about this so called 'difficult' area of Advanced Level Chemistry? Do you understand reaction mechanisms? Not sure about those curly arrows? This revision lecture will help students prepare for their A-Level Summer Examinations. All the main reaction mechanisms will be encountered, with structural representation, naming of organic molecules and terminology reinforced as well. The lecture will include organic mechanisms from both AS and A2 specifications. Professor Jon Preece, University of Birmingham. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed Please download the Ticket Application Form here. TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 "A-LEVEL REVISION : ELECTRODE POTENTIALS, CELLS, REDOX AND REACTIVITY" Presented by Dr Peter Hoare, Newcastle University. Sixth Form Revision Lecture. This presentation will focus on revising some of the key ideas involving "Electrode Potentials, Cells, Redox and Reactivity" as required for most of the major A-Level Chemistry specifications. It will be an interactive presentation, using electronic voting pads or "zappers" to allow the audience to answer questions about these topics throughout the lecture, chosen to illustrate key points or student misconceptions based on the speakers extensive experience of teaching and examining this topic over more than two decades. There will be questions throughout the lecture so students are advised to bring a pen, some paper and their calculators! A booklet of Revision Notes will be provided for each attendee to take away. The speaker, Dr Peter Hoare, is currently a STEM Outreach Officer in the Science Faculty at Newcastle University and was formerly the Chemistry Outreach Officer from 2009 to 2017. Prior to his appointment in 2009, he was a chemistry teacher for 20 years in a high achieving Northumberland High School. He has been an A-level Chemistry marker, at both AS and A2 level, since 1995 and is also an A-level Chemistry Practical Adviser for one of the major UK examining boards. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed Please download the Ticket Application Form here. TOP of PAGE |
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(Jointly organised with the Association for Science Education and the Royal Society of Chemistry ) Venue: University of Wolverhampton, Chancellor's Hall "COLOURFUL CHEMISTRY" 
Exciting Chemistry to delight and fascinate the young audience of future Chemists. This lecture demonstration will explore some processes in chemistry which either produce or use light energy under four themes of "reactions", "combustion" and "rates" with lots of colourful and sometimes dramatic demonstrations - with the occasional whoosh and even bang! The presenter has a wealth of experience in designing and delivering educational and entertaining demonstration lectures. Presented by Dr Peter Hoare, Newcastle University. The event is FREE but TICKETS are needed. Interested teachers should apply for tickets as soon as possible using THIS LINK. Any enquiries about this event please contact STEMOutreach@wlv.ac.uk or Zoe Mason zoe.mason@wlv.ac.uk or Heather Angell h.angell2@wlv.ac.uk TOP of PAGE |
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ON-LINE TEACHERS MEETING AUTUMN MEETING FOR ALL TEACHERS OF CHEMISTRY "UPDATES FOR YOUR CHEMISTRY TEACHING" Due to the environmental impact of their improper disposal, there is growing pressure to rethink our use of, and dependency on, plastics - especially single use plastics. Indeed, since the build-up of plastics in the ocean was highlighted by the BBC's Blue Planet II in late 2017, there has been a backlash against their use with some even demanding the creation of a plastic-free world. While plastics pose undeniable environmental challenges, they also enhance our lives and contribute to global progress. Their lightweight nature, excellent barrier properties and ductility help reduce carbon emissions and food waste thus providing a potential net positive to the environment. This talk will discuss these concepts as well as focus on how Chemistry can help create a sustainable future with plastic through improved materials and chemical recycling. 7.30 - 7.40 pm: WMCTC Annual Business Meeting. The agenda includes a Report on the last academic year's programme and the election of teacher representatives to serve on the Committee - an excellent CPD opportunity. Perhaps you would like to make a positive contribution to the continuing development of Chemical Education in the Midlands Region? If so, you may wish to join the WMCTC Committee as one of our teacher representatives. NQT or experienced teacher - your input will be very welcome and much appreciated. Please let us know. 7.40 - 8.10 pm: "Li-ion batteries: born in the 90s and we're still fussing over them - why?" Elizabeth Driscoll, University of Birmingham. Since the turn of the century, rechargeable batteries are found everywhere in day-to-day life: smart phones, laptops and (more recently) electric vehicles. The chemistry underpinning all these applications, makes use of Li-ion batteries. Although 30 years on from the initial design of this technology, the push for more efficient energy storage devices remains heavily in the spotlight for both consumer devices, transport and large-scale grid applications. The current challenges posed with increased interest and uptake, whilst lithium reserve poses future limitations, requires understanding the application's requirements whilst mitigating the advancing climate crisis. In this talk I will cover how these batteries work using a Jenga to show the shuffling motioning, in addition to some key characteristics such as rate of charge and degradation, whilst relating the application back to electrochemical and redox potentials. The remainder of the lecture will then cover where research efforts are currently focusing, from high power applications for EV to Na-ion batteries, before concluding with the recycling efforts at the University. If you would like to come to this Meeting, please email the Chair (Jill Oldfield: wmctcchair@gmail.com ) as soon as possible giving your name, school/college address, telephone number and preferred email address. |
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This Presentation is being given on-line “ DISCOVERING NEW MEDICINES: THE ROLE OF THE CHEMIST” To Register, click this link AFTER September 1st TOP of PAGE |
This Presentation is being given on-line “CHIRALITY, SMELL, DRUGS AND CHEMISTRY” The difference smells of the two isomers of carvone are also familiar to A-Level students; we will look at how the brain processes the information that comes from the receptors in the nose, and examine a number of cases where enantiomers have different smells, including the true story of the isomers of limonene. To Register, click this link AFTER September 1st TOP of PAGE |
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This Presentation is being given on-line "THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY: WHAT'S THE SCIENCE AND WHAT SHOULD WE DO?"  No spin or soundbites here - it's time to get to grips with the greenhouse effect, global warming, ozone depletion and climate change, and discover how such environmental issues influence United Kingdom and International Policy. Perhaps all may not be a simple as it seems. You will be made aware of the problems that face the planet. Rest assured, we are in good hands, our politicians are scientifically literate . Richard Tuckett has just retired as Professor of Chemical Physics at the University of Birmingham, he now holds an Emeritus position. His research area is high resolution gas-phase spectroscopy and reaction dynamics, especially of molecular cations created by tunable vacuum-UV radiation from a synchrotron. Recent studies have centred on long-lived greenhouse gases, leading to a subsiduary interest in atmospheric chemistry, climate change and energy consumption. He has talked extensively on this subject throughout the UK. His views might seem controversial to some, others have said they are plain common-sense. You choose! Professor Richard Tuckett, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. Sixth Form Lecture. To Register, click this link AFTER September 1st TOP of PAGE |
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This Presentation is being given on-line "THE ELEMENTS OF CHEMISTRY"
Sir Martyn Poliakoff is a Research Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham where he teaches green chemistry. Originally an inorganic chemist, he has researched in many different areas and his published work involves more than 50 different elements. In recent years, Sir Martyn has become well known for his collaboration with videomaker Brady Haran, making the Periodic Table of Videos on YouTube, www.periodicvideos.com To Register, click this link AFTER September 1st TOP of PAGE |
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This Presentation is being given on-line “FIREWORKS”  “Remember, Remember the 5th of November ....” A pyrotechnical extravaganza of colour, light and sound, bangs, whistles, explosions and sparks. Or yet another quiet evening at home? Dr Tom Smith, CarnDu Limited, Kimbolton. Sixth Form Lecture Demonstration. To Register, click this link AFTER September 1st TOP of PAGE |