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Schoolchildren use chemistry to solve a mysterious death at the University of Warwick

Pupils from 18 schools across Warwickshire travelled to the University of Warwick this week to use their chemistry skills to solve ‘The Mysterious Death of Captain Salter’.

The University  hosted the Salters’ Festival of Chemistry and 72 schoolchildren took part. During the morning the teams got involved in a competitive practical activity in which they used their analytical chemistry skills to explore the death of Captain Salter.

In the afternoon they competed in a ‘University Challenge’, which was a practical activity chosen by the University. The day ended with a prizegiving.

The schools involved in the festival included Alcester Grammar School, George Eliot Community School, Rugby High School and Stratford-Upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls.

Organiser Professor of Computational Chemistry at the University of Warwick, Rob Deeth said: “It’s a great opportunity for teams of budding young scientists to use chemistry to solve complex problems, just like in the real world. And we have loads of fun doing it too.”

The Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of The Salters’ Institute, whose aim is to promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences among the young. The festival at the University of Warwick is one of 51 festivals taking place at universities throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Notes to editors

For more information please contact Kelly Parkes-Harrison, Communication Officer, University of Warwick, k.e.parkes@warwick.ac.uk, 02476 150483, 07824 540863.

For more information about the Festivals, contact Christina Forbes, University of Warwick, 02476 572970, Christina.forbes@warwick.ac.uk

Fleur Layzell, Publicity Co-ordinator, The Salters’ Institute, 0207 628 5962, publicity@salters.co.uk