| Date | Title | |
| Tuesday 24 September 2013 | AUTUMN MEETING FOR TEACHERS OF CHEMISTRY AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
(Teachers meeting) | Details |
| Tuesday 1 October 2013 | MOLECULES OF MURDER (Sixth Form) | Details |
| 15 October 2013 | SMACK, CRACK, SPEED AND WEED - A FORENSIC CHEMIST'S TALE (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Thursday 31 October 2013 | CHEMISTRY QUIZ (Year 10 and Year 11) Last date for applications | Details |
| Tuesday 5 November 2013 | ASTROCHEMISTRY - THE CHEMICAL COSMOS (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 19 November 2013 | NANOTECHNOLOGY (Sixth Form Meeting) | Details |
| Tuesday 3 December 2013 | CHEMICAL MAGIC (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 21 January 2014 | CHIRALITY, SMELL, DRUGS AND CHEMISTRY (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Tuesday 11th February 2014 | USING ICT TO ENHANCE LEARNING IN CHEMISTRY
(Teachers CPD Meeting) | Details |
| Tuesday 11 March 2014 | CHEMICAL QUIZ: THE FINALS (Year 10 and Year 11) Please apply by 31 October 2013 | Details |
| Tuesday 18 March 2014 | CHEMICAL ENGINEERING OF CHOCOLATE CREME EGGS (Sixth Form) | Details |
| Saturday 28th June 2014 | VISIT TO JACKFIELD TILE MUSEUM, IRONBRIDGE (Teachers Meeting + Family Day) (In conjunction with the Association for Science Education) | Details |
| Friday 4 July 2014 |
CHEMISTRY AND ENERGY: FROM STEAM TO NUCLEAR POWER (Year 9 and Year 10 students) | Details |
| Wednesday 9 July 2014 | AN INDUSTRIAL VISIT TO ROBINSON BROTHERS LIMITED, WEST BROMWICH (Teachers CPD Meeting) | Details |
| September 2014 to July 2015 | PROGRAMME FOR SEPTEMBER 2014 TO JULY 2015 A Programme Summary will be posted By 1 July 2014 | Details to follow |
Venue: King Edward VI High School for Girls (B15 2UB) AUTUMN MEETING FOR ALL TEACHERS OF CHEMISTRY:UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS” In conjunction with the Royal Society for Chemistry Education Division Midland Region. 
There are many rumours and myths surrounding university admissions - why not come and compare these to reality?
Dr Wright will discuss and answer questions relating to school references, personal statements and how as teachers you can guide your students as they apply for university.
The evening will be a marvellous networking opportunity in a relaxed environment, with light refreshments being served. 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 the teacher representatives. NQT or experienced teacher - your input will be very welcome and much appreciated. Please let us know. The WMCTC Annual General Meeting takes place during the evening and the agenda includes 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 the teacher representatives. NQT or experienced teacher – your input will be very welcome and much appreciated. Please let us know. The WMCTC Annual General Meeting takes place during the evening and the agenda includes the election of teacher representatives to serve on the Committee – an excellent CPD opportunity. There is no Registration Fee If you would like to come to this Meeting, please email the Chair (Jill Oldfield: jo@kehsmail.co.uk giving your name, school/college address and telephone number (work and home/mobile) and preferred email address. |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 MOLECULES OF MURDER  “This lecture is about infamous murderers and famous victims; about people like Harold Shipman, the doctor who poisoned 400 of his patients, Alexander Litvinenko, who was assassinated by the Russian secret police who thought they had the perfect poison, and Georgi Markov, who likewise was poisoned by the Bulgarian secret police with what they thought was an undetectable toxin. The talk will also look at the ways in which domestic poisoners tried to carry out their killings while avoiding suspicion themselves. Generally murders like these, focus on the victims or the murderer, but by looking at these crimes from the viewpoint of the poison itself, we get a new light on how such murders were carried out, and ultimately how the perpetrators were exposed by forensic chemists. A ChemNet Meeting precedes this talk. Dr John Emsley, University of Cambridge and popular science writer 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 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 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. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 NANOTECHNOLOGY  Nanotechnology is the science of the infinitely small and is likely to be increasingly important in the future as it allows materials to be built up atom by atom. The technology is leading to significant developments in medicine, manufacturing and computing.. Professor Jon Preece, 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 “CHEMICAL MAGIC”  
Dr Ray Plevey & Mrs Rosemary Plevey, School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham. Sixth Form Lecture Demonstration. Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed |
Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 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. Dr Simon Cotton, 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 Education. "USING ICT TO ENHANCE LEARNING IN CHEMISTRY" Dr Sandy Wilkinson, School of Education, University of Birmingham. The evening will offer a choice of hands-on workshops where some novel ways of enhancing pupils' learning of 11-18 chemistry as well as increasing the productivity and workflow of chemistry teachers. This will be across a range of formats including computers, tablets and smart phones. A Certificate of Attendance will be available for your Portfolio. There is no Registration Fee TOP of PAGE |
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“CHEMICAL QUIZ: THE FINALS” Venue: School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham: Haworth 101 Once more, let battle commence - the last eight teams test their knowledge and understanding of Chemistry. In previous years the winning team has been the West Midlands Representatives in the Schools National Top of the Bench Challenge organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Co-ordinated by Dr John Crossley j.crossley987@btinternet.com Preliminary Rounds take place in January and February 2014. See Quiz Tab for an entry form – please reply by 31 October 2013 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 2008 the Institution of Chemical Engineers Salary Survey reported an average salary for £hemical £ngineers aged 25 - 29 was £33,700, rising to £47,500 for those in their 30s and £60,500 in their 40s? No, I didn't think you knew about £hat. Chartered £hemical £ngineers can earn over £70,000. Interested? About a quarter of chemical engineers are women. 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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(Jointly organised with the Association for Science Education and the Royal Society of Chemistry Education Division Midland Region) "A VISIT TO JACKFIELD TILE MUSEUM" (Ironbridge Gorge, Salthouse Road, Telford, Shropshire, TF8 7LJ) There is no charge for this Visit Of interest to all teachers of Chemistry (KS1 to A-Level) and also to teachers who have an interest in ceramics or the history of science and technology. It is also an opportunity to bring the Family - they will not be neglected. There will be activities for all age groups. A Family fun day out in the Ironbridge Gorge. The Programme includes: 1.00 pm: Introduction and welcome 1.30 pm: Tile making activities for all the Family 3.00 pm: Use free pass to view the displays and exhibits in the Tile Museum Participants may bring a packed lunch and make use of the Lunch Room which will be made available exclusively for us from 12.00 midday. Alternatively, there is a Café on site and there are also a number of cafes and pubs serving food in the area. Please note that each participant has the opportunity to make one free tile. However, it needs to be fired and will therefore not be finished on the day. Tiles can be collected free of charge or posted at a cost of £3.25 per package. Participants may also wish to visit other museums or places of interest in the Ironbridge Gorge, either before or after their visit to the Tile Museum. The Iron Bridge & Tollhouse, Darby Furnace and Quaker Burial Plot are free. Please download the Application Form for this Visit here . If additional information or clarification is needed, please email the Assistant Secretary, Rory Freckleton roryfreck@gmail.com giving your name, your school/college address, and your home telephone number. TOP of PAGE |
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Venue: Great Hall Aston University "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. Ticket Application Form must be completed. Please download the Ticket Application Form for this event here. TOP of PAGE |
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"AN INDUSTRIAL VISIT TO A CHEMICAL PLANT: ROBINSON BROTHERS LTD., WEST BROMWICH"  The event is free but tickets are needed This is the opportunity for you to visit a Chemical Plant. Of particular interest to teachers of Chemistry at GCSE, Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level who want to know more about chemistry in the workplace. Robinson Brothers are a speciality chemicals manufacturer using batch processing equipment from 1 to 3 m3 vessels. They produce drug and food related precursors and products mainly, but will produce any high-value product in small quantity. The West Bromwich plant has in excess of 50 reactors and they can be using 20+ different reaction mechanisms at any one time. The vessels are mainly glass-lined steel and are equipped with very large Quickfit glassware, just like large laboratory equipment. You can see the vessels and get close to the components, unlike most chemical production plants. The range of reactions is huge, from Friedel-Crafts to high pressure hydrogenation. Robinsons are accredited by the United States Food and Drug Administration, a very strict quality system, as well as numerous other international bodies. Coordinated by Dr Gary Leeke, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham. To register your interest, please contact Gary Leeke: g.a.leeke@bham.ac.uk as soon as possible but no later than 25 June 2014. Please give your name, school/college address, telephone number and preferred email address. Places are limited. TOP of PAGE |
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