ALL THE EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. e-mail: simpsonwmctc@gmail.com AUTUMN TERM PROGRAMME 2020 |
| Date | Title | |
| Tuesday 22 September 2020 |
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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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 |
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Venue: University of Birmingham, School of Chemistry, Haworth 101 "A-LEVEL REVISION: : MATHEMATICS IN SIXTH FORM CHEMISTRY: BUILDING CONFIDENCE"  This presentation will focus on revising some of the key mathematical skills required for A-Level Chemistry. This will include skills and topics such as calculating and converting units, significant figures, decimal places, standard form, the Avogadro number, percentage yields, calculations using algebra, logarithmic functions, using and constructing graphs to determine chemical quantities, determining uncertainties and the Arrhenius expression. A range of example questions will be shown, demonstrating the use of some of the key skills outlined above. The presentation will also include a brief illustration of how mathematical concepts such as trigonometry and calculus are key extensions to undergraduate chemistry Maryjane Tremayne is a Lecturer in Physical and Structural Chemistry and has research interests in organic solid state chemistry, molecular crystallography, powder diffraction and evolutionary algorithms. Maryjane has published over 40 research papers in scientific journals and books, and solved over 50 molecular crystal structures from powder diffraction data following the development of new techniques for determination. She has given presentations around the world on both structure solution from powder diffraction data and the application of evolutionary algorithms to crystallography. Maryjane teaches on a number of undergraduate modules including thermodynamics, kinetics, computational chemistry, organic molecular materials and solid state techniques. She has also taught 'mathematics for chemists' for a number of years and has recently established a new online fundamental maths for chemists module involving a range of innovative approaches to e-assessment and feedback for students. Dr Maryjane Tremayne, University of Birmingham. Sixth Form Revision Lecture Tickets needed. Ticket Application Form must be completed TOP of PAGE |
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