Tuesday 14 June 2016 Pupils from three Leeds primary schools swapped their usual lessons for lab work during a recent chemistry experience day at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL). Year 5 pupils from Rawdon St Peter’s C of E Primary School, Swarcliffe Primary and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary School got together in the GSAL chemistry laboratories to take the potions challenge. Six different potions made by six different students had got mixed up – and the task in hand was to sort out the muddle. By carefully recording the evidence from flame tests, test tube observations and other investigations, the pupils used the evidence they found and the clues provided to work out which potion was which. Immaculate Heart pupil Lizzie said: “We’ve not done any chemistry before and it’s really fun.” Rawdon St Peter’s pupil Jake said: “I enjoyed finding out how to do experiments and learning new words.” Clare Seakins, gifted and talented coordinator at Rawdon St Peter’s, said: “The pupils have really enjoyed the experience of working in a real science laboratory and learning proper scientific procedures.” The potions challenge was devised and supervised by teachers from GSAL’s chemistry department. Head of department Dr Ruth Boddy said: “By following instructions carefully to get reliable observations, working as a team and avoiding cross-contamination, the pupils have done a good job in solving the challenge. They have also learned useful skills that they will apply in senior school science.” GSAL offers a range of activities for local primary schools, including the Leeds Junior Schools Maths Challenge, the Speak Up poetry slam, French language days and opportunities to use the science laboratories and outdoor facilities at its Alwoodley campus. To find out how your school can get involved email lee-ann.humphries@gsal.org.uk General
