Case Study
Chemistry Work Inspiration Trip to Science Creates Outreach
On Tuesday 5th November 2024, seven 17-18 year old students from a school in Bristol joined us at Science Creates Outreach for a Chemistry-themed Work Inspiration Trip.
The trip started with an introduction to the Science Creates “Science Incubator”, where STEM companies are working away to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. After a safety talk, the students donned their lab coats and eye protection ready for their “The Problem with Plastic” workshop!
In the workshop, the group completed a word activity, matching up definitions to the meanings of words relating to plastics, recyclable materials and renewable energy and saw examples of single use plastics before discussing possible alternatives.
The group was then introduced to Kelpi, the material innovation company who are “turning the tide on plastic packaging” and created their own seaweed pods by mixing sodium alginate, water, and food colouring and adding the mixture to a solution of calcium chloride in water. Quotes from the students taking part in the activity include:
‘It has dissolved - it has disappeared’
‘I like how it feels’
‘It has water inside’
‘wow, that’s so awesome!’
‘What’s happening?’
‘It’s slimy!’
‘We’re having so much fun with our science’
‘That was so great!’
The group then had a tour of the building, and even got to see the Kelpi scientists hard at work in the Science Incubator!
Thank you so much for organising this trip for us – it was amazing and we all really enjoyed ourselves. This was unlike anything we have done before and was really interesting to see how science plays such an important place in the world of work. The students said they really liked mixing different things together to make the gel pouches and were all quite of the opinion that single use plastic was bad for the environment. Lots of great learning happened.
A big thank you to you and the team – we look forward to hearing about any new opportunities that may arise in the near future.
Teacher, Science Creates Outreach Work Inspiration Trip