On 31st January, and due to last year's positive experiences from our previous Year 13 students, our current Year 13 Chemists spent the school day at The 'Community Lab' in Sandwich. This laboratory project is a collaboration between Discovery Park, Canterbury Christ Church University, Pfizer and educational charity STEM Learning, and aims to provide local schools with access to industrial-standard facilities and equipment normally out of reach in the classroom. This initiative forms part of a wider selection of activities aimed at encouraging young people to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related subjects in further education. Our Borden students carried out several investigative activities to identify different substances by combining a number of analytical strategies and laboratory techniques, including chemical tests, melting point apparatus, thin layer chromatography, liquid-liquid extraction, rotary evaporation, etc.. In addition, the students had access to sophisticated equipment to perform both Infra-red Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy analyses. Our Year 13 students were praised by staff at the Community Lab on their excellent laboratory skills and background knowledge, thus positively representing Borden and acting as brilliant ambassadors for the school.  Our Year 13 Chemistry really enjoyed the day.

Dr Solanas 
Chemistry Teacher