Rochdale Sixth Form College chemistry students put theory into practice at University of Manchester

Rochdale Sixth Form College chemistry A level students at the University of Manchester

Chemistry A Level students from Rochdale Sixth Form College spent a day at the University of Manchester to put all of their classroom theory into practice at the Institute of Biotechnology.

The budding scientists took part in a range of practical experiments in the laboratories and spoke directly to scientists about how enzymes work and how you can go about producing crystals. They listened to a number of short research talks relating to the development of biofuels and early diagnostic methods for Parkinson’s disease.

Lee Hudson, Teacher of Chemistry said: “We wanted to demonstrate to our students that if they work hard they really can achieve amazing things and perhaps one day they could be working alongside scientists making ground-breaking discoveries.

"We really are lucky to have the institute of Biotechnology on our doorstep and the students loved to see what projects were underway and what could be achieved with their £100 million of funding.

"The students experienced the diverse nature of the research taking place in the MIB and saw how some of the analytical methods they have been discussing in the classroom, such as mass spectrometry and chromatography, are used in cutting edge research.”