Before the summer holidays, our sixth form chemistry students embarked on an unforgettable journey to the Molecular Sciences Research Hub (MSRH) at Imperial College London, White City Campus. Excitement filled the air as students looked forward to engaging with real-world chemistry in one of the UK’s leading scientific institutions.
A Day in the Lab: Exploring Analytical Chemistry Techniques
Our students were split into four groups and rotated through a fascinating programme that included:
- LCMS and GCMS sessions (Liquid/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) with expert guidance. Students learned how these powerful analytical instruments work, tuned the systems themselves, set up and ran real chemical samples, and analysed the results – just like practicing scientists!
- NMR workshops (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), where students discovered how NMR spectroscopy is used to identify molecular structures.
- Guided lab tours offered a behind-the-scenes look at the MSRH’s state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories, highlighting modern research applications in spectroscopy and analytical science.
Flash Talks & Career Insight
To cap off the day, all groups attended a flash presentation session in the Digibox. Imperial’s researchers shared exciting real-world projects that use the very techniques our students had just explored. There was also an introduction to Imperial’s Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Scheme, showing one of many possible career pathways in the chemical sciences.
A Day to Remember
This chemistry-focused trip was more than just a day out – it was an opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge science, explore future career possibilities, and be inspired by world-class facilities and experts. Students came away motivated, informed, and more curious than ever about the world of chemistry.
A huge thank you to Imperial College London and all the students for making this Chemistry Trip such a resounding success.
We look forward to more inspiring experiences like this in the future!
