The Chemistry Clinic is a student led consultancy in the University of Strathclyde. Working with entrepreneurs with brand new ideas right through to supporting school students, they deal with a wide range of enquiries.
This placement opportunity during their Chemistry degree gives students the chance to implement the knowledge they have gathered so far during their three years of studying and fine-tune their practical laboratory skills. They also have the chance to grow on a personal basis in various forms of communication and organisation skills that are tested throughout the year. The team also partake in various school events and tasks both within the University of Strathclyde and around the country - as STEM Ambassadors - to further the development of the scientific world.
Chemsitry Clinic Festivities
“‘Tis the season to be jolly”, is ringing true for the team this month as we have completed our December To-Do List. Have a look at what we’ve been up to over the past few weeks with a sprinkle of some festive spirit…
Let it Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow
Things are really “gelling” together as we approach the Christmas break with our samples fit to feature in the George Square Christmas light display. The New Year will see us presenting our findings to the client and looking to develop the product further.
Have Yourself a Waxy Little Christmas
Jonny and Peter have been busy-bees completing analysis on the wax project and tying up some loose ends. With the end of the project drawing closer, they are looking forward to a short break for some much needed rest and to get the creative juices flowing as they are currently feeling a bit “waxed out”.
Rocking Around the Mass Spectroscopy-Tree
This month we concluded the research and development of our acid/base indicator experiments with a view to having them incorporated in the list of Advanced Higher Projects available to school students. Having compiled a report on our findings we have passed this on to Dr Alistair Wark and Dr Patrick Thomson who will continue with the work.
December also saw us hold our first afternoon visit for Advanced Higher students who requested analysis of their samples for their S6 projects. Mass spectroscopy, NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy were all carried out and we look forward to welcoming more students in the New Year to test more samples. This is a great opportunity for the students to see first-hand how more complicated methods of analysis take place and bridge the gap between school and university chemical theory and practical laboratory skills.
Christmas Time, Literature Review and Wine
So, after a gruelling few weeks of typing away we have finally reached the end of our literature reviews. It is safe to say that we will be taking a break from reading journals on our topics for the foreseeable future. All in all, we have improved our skills in gathering information and compiling a report, which will help us with our final year assignments.
It’s the Most Wonderful Alumni Event of The Year
This month we have been busy organising our Alumni Event which will take place on the 6th February 2019. This event will bring together a host of speakers from various areas related to chemistry. Whether you’re interested in finding out information on life after your degree or wanting to look at other options that are available to you, this will give you the chance to ask the speakers some questions. Registration for the event is now open.
Dr Alan Kennedy’s Fun Lab is Coming To Town
Ben and Cirsty had the pleasure of joining Alan Kennedy and some fellow chemists from the department for the Fun Lab session which was arranged for high school students. The two hour session involved four different experiments including “Growing a Stalagmite” and “Preparation of Slime”. It was a great morning of fun in science and gave the students an opportunity to explore what life in the lab is like. We hope their experience encourages them to go down the Chemistry route and maybe even return to the University of Strathclyde in years to come.
All I Want for Christmas Is… Lunch in Qua
Many thanks to Christina McKendry for a very well organised Christmas lunch at Qua Italian restaurant. It was great to have the whole department together before the festive break. A big thank you to our supervisors Dr John Liggat, Dr Sharon Ingram and Dr Brian McMillan for all their guidance this semester keeping us on the right track with our various projects. And finally, a special mention to Kellie Muir and Lewis Print who have taken us under their wings this semester and helped us settle in to the department.
Step Into Chemist-mas
That brings us to the end of 2018 and the first half of our placement in the Chemistry Clinic.
Merry Christmas to you all and we look forward to updating you on what the New Year brings!
