STUDENTS in Year 8 at Kingsmead School in Wiveliscombe went to Bristol University to represent the school in the annual regional Salters’ Festival of Chemistry.

Ella Varney, Ava Blandford, Mitchell Whitlam and Deiniol Brown (pictured) took part in two competitions during the day, pitching their skills and scientific knowledge against 14 other schools from the South-West.

The Kingsmead team worked hard within the Chemlabs – the university’s state-of-the-art laboratories – under the supervision and judgement of the research staff, where they had to demonstrate their teamwork, safety awareness, practical skills and scientific knowledge to tackle the two challenges set for them – to solve a forensic murder mystery and to use a chemical reaction as a clock.

The teams were treated to an explosive lecture presentation on earth’s gases – hydrogen going up in flames – while the judges deliberated.

Kingsmead School took first prize in the university-set Iodine Clock challenge. 

Ella said: “It was really fun and I found the lecture was interesting. Everyone was very welcoming.” And Deiniol added: “Interesting lecture, challenging work and a fun day!”