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Chemistry
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There is hardly an area of our lives that is not touched by Chemistry: food; pharmaceuticals; materials; the environment; and much more. Life is what it is due to atoms and molecules and chemistry explains much of this and more. In a technologically advancing world Chemistry is a necessity for a future scientifically literate society. Within Chemistry the department aims to stimulate students’ curiosity in science and develop an interest and enjoyment in Chemistry. The department enables the students to develop a wider scientific understanding so that they are able to support their views with reasoned arguments.
In the study of Chemistry there is a large emphasis on practical work. Through the underlying themes, within the subject, the girls develop a knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, which they can relate to everyday life.
The pupils work in small groups, as part of a team as well as independently. Information Technology is used in a variety of ways to aid the learning process.
Curriculum Content
After initial work relating to safety and basic apparatus, pupils in Year 7 look at the various ways that chemicals and the changes associated with them are classified. Topics include physical and chemical changes, elements mixtures and compounds and metals and non-metals.
In Year 8 the various sources of chemicals and their reactions are studied by looking at the air and water. Chemical formulae and equations are used throughout this year and beyond.
In Year 9 the department starts work towards GCSE with an in depth look at the theory of Chemistry, with girls studying atomic structure and bonding as well as the practical topics relating to salts and minerals.
Through Years 10 and 11 the GCSE course is continued, with the students being encouraged to think beyond the exam board specifications.
In Years 12 and 13 a large proportion of students decide to study Chemistry, with the AS and A2 courses expanding and extending their knowledge and understanding of the subject. Class sizes are small, with a maximum of 16, enabling students to be individually challenged and stimulated. A large proportion of these students go on to study science related degrees at University.
Chemistry Enrichment Reading List
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Chemistry Blog
Please click here to view the department blog. Salters’ Chemistry Camps 2011
During this summer four girls from the Lower Fifth (year 10) attended Salters’ Chemistry Camps. Megan Santer and Anishka Pabari spent three days at Bath on a camp with a pharmaceutical theme. Victoria Holland also looked at Chemistry from the Pharmaceutical angle at the University of Sussex and Erin Hales spent three days at Manchester. At these camps the girls carried out new and exciting Chemistry experiments and had the chance to delve into areas of Chemistry they had not previously encountered. They also attended entertaining and, sometimes noisy, demonstrations. Each year the school can nominate up to 4 pupils to attend these camps.
Jyoti and Aarti Sehdev (U6) wrote the attached Chemistry rap for a competition, which they then won - first prize being an ipad. Click here to read the rap.  Please click the image above to see a video clip, created by pupils, about Carbon Nano Tubes.
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