Kelmscott Senior High School students visited Murdoch labs to delve into a thrilling array of chemistry activities for STEM Day.

One fascinating venture involved the analysis of bronze. Through this exercise, students learned about the metal alloys, offering them an opportunity to analyse the respective ratios of copper and tin within a sample within the laboratory.

Adding an explosive twist to their day, the students also experimented with gun cotton, a highly flammable cotton wool also known as ‘Nitrocellulose’. This hands-on activity not only demonstrated the principles of rapid combustion but also highlighted the importance of safety and precision in chemical handling.

The students then got to dabble in creating fruit juice gummy pearls.  They produced hydrogel spheres from seaweed derivative alginate, which quickly cross-links into a solid mass in the presence of calcium ions, demonstrating the concepts of food chemistry  and natural polymer sciences.

Nature, too, provided inspiration. Students examined the structural colours produced by butterfly wings, discovering how microscopic structures rather than pigments can create vivid and iridescent hues. This exploration bridged the disciplines of biology, physics and chemistry, revealing the intricate designs that underpin natural beauty.

These engaging activities have not only bolstered the students’ scientific knowledge but also ignited a passion for chemistry that promises to endure well beyond the classroom.