Massey hosts secondary school chemistry quiz

Secondary school pupils from around New Zealand spent two days immersed in chemistry at Massey University this week as part of the National Secondary School Chemistry Quiz programme.

Teams from St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton, Auckland Grammar School, Christ’s College in Christchurch, Wellington College and Palmerston North Boys’ High School won their respective regional competitions and travelled to the Manawatu campus for the final on Tuesday night.

The competition was won by Palmerston North Boys’ High School.

As well as competing, pupils visited the Microscopy Centre, the Riddet Centre, the Laser Laboratory and the mass spectrometer. They also performed chemistry demonstrations to the group.

Adrian Jull of the Institute of Fundamental Sciences says it was great to have the pupils on campus. “The teams seemed to really enjoy their time here and especially liked being able to do some hands-on chemistry, as well as competing,” he says.

The quiz is organised by the Chemical Education Group of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry.