Three teams were recently entered for the Royal Society of Chemistry 'Top of the Bench' Competition, where they were asked to create a poster on a Transition metal. 

Congratulations to Team Yttrium; Victor Klotins, Kieren Suresh, Diana Grigoreva, Devine Kapu.

Dr Numbere-Nmaju, Subject Leader for Chemistry

 Team Yttrium (Transition troop) 
Won 3rd place

Team Platinum (PAAT)

When making this poster I honestly had no idea where to start. I enjoyed chemistry, but hadn't really thought about metals unless it was for a test. While reading the brief about what our poster needed to contain, I thought about what metal would be unique, but also had enough to write about, and I came across Platinum. Recently, in a Chemistry lesson, we learnt about how it was used as a catalyst to speed up the rate of a reaction and I thought it would be a good transition metal to make a poster on.  Angela and I did some research and delved deeper into its uses in so many industries, such as the medical and petrol industries. We realised that platinum has such a huge impact on our lives.

Precious Nwaekpe, Year 11

Team Tungsten (SAAF)

The actual poster making process was completed in about an hour after I realised we had all these ideas, but it wasn’t a poster. It was fun expanding my points, but making them concise enough for anyone who passes by to realise the significance of this metal.

It was an amazing experience to work with other Year groups on a topic so broad. The competition allowed my group and I to think outside the box, as there were really no limitations to what we could have decided to do. I found the poster project really interesting, and it has allowed me to learn more, naturally, about Chemistry in general, and an opportunity to work with others with similar interests. If given the chance, I would definitely recommend other students to get involved, as it was very beneficial and not a long project at all!

Angela Luong, Year 10