Barnsley Sixth Formers shine in chemistry challenge

Sixth Formers Shine In Chemistry Challenge (@barnsleycollege)

Five Barnsley Sixth Form College students have displayed their ability in chemistry by achieving awards in a prestigious challenge.

Megan Whitehouse claimed the Silver Award in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge while Milly Charlesworth-Constable, Joseph Lin, Patrick Shakesby and Grace Williams all received Copper Awards.

The students undertook a 90-minute written exam which is designed to test their A Level Chemistry knowledge and assess their application and understanding of the subject.

Set by an experienced team of teachers and university chemists, the exam is designed to be accessible to students while taking them take them significantly beyond the syllabus and encouraging them to think about science in the way they would at university.

The exam was made up of two questions about isocyanates in space and oxidation and reduction reactions of ferrate ions.

Megan Whitehouse said:

“I found taking part in the competition challenging and was thrilled when I found out that I got a Silver Award. The challenge included aspects of chemistry that were new to me and I’m glad that I took part, as I can reference this in my personal statement for university.”

The Cambridge Chemistry Challenge is supported by St Catharine’s College, Cambridge; Cambridge Chemistry, Oxford University Press and the Michael and Morven Heller Charitable Foundation.

Barnsley Sixth Form College also has a variety of A Level courses available including Fine Art, Geography, Law and Spanish. The Sixth Form College has an excellent reputation for success and many of our students progress onto further study at some of the country’s top universities including Cambridge, Oxford, Lancaster, Manchester, Sheffield and York.