In a bid to cut down on chemical usage and emission of sulphur dioxide gas, which can cause breathing difficulties, the first Matric ‘Rates of Reaction’ Chemistry Practical was carried out quite differently to previous years.Working on a small scale, the girls were able to use one tenth of the original amount of chemicals.
In addition, a “stop bath” was introduced to stop the reaction and further production of SO2 gas.
The results were comparable with previous years and in some cases even better data was gathered.
Head of Physical Science, Mrs Sandra Schwartz, came across the idea during an online course, Teaching Practical Chemistry, that she recently took as part the continued professional development programme at the College.
News supplied by St Anne's Diocesan College.