Spectroscopy in a Suitcase

Introduction

As well as covering the principles of spectroscopic techniques, the activities use real-life contexts to demonstrate the applications of the techniques.

Dr. Trevor Carey

School of Chemistry, UCC.

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Event Structure

Please note that this event is no longer running. This page is maintained for archival purposes.

The RSC's Spectroscopy in a Suitcase scheme is an outreach activity which gives school students the chance to learn about spectroscopy through hands-on experience. As well as covering the principles of spectroscopic techniques, the activities use real-life contexts to demonstrate the applications of the techniques. The kits are hosted by Universities and events are delivered by University staff and students, so have a strong emphasis on encouraging school pupils to consider studying chemistry and the career opportunities available. The scheme is free of charge, with no costs involved for interested schools.

Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (SIAS) is only available for booking in the UK and Ireland. The project is funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry and Science Foundation Ireland.

SIAS aims to:

  • Promote science as a subject to young people, and to show the excitement of hands-on spectroscopy
  • Provide a simple and versatile equipment to schools for the demonstration of optical spectroscopy
  • Cover a range of experiments to allow coverage of topic for 4th years to 6th years
  • Supply full teacher training and support from University staff

An ATR Infra-red spectrometer and UV spectrometer is hosted by the School of Chemistry at UCC in Cork. The School of Chemistry covers the Munster region and deliver these state of the art spectroscopic techniques to your school through pre designed experiments.

Experimental

WPA Lightwave II UV Spectrometer Bruker Alpha ATR FTIR

Tracy McGhie explains how your students can solve a murder mystery using state-of-the-art equipment such as IR Spectroscopy, UV-VIS Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry. Tracy has been a Spectroscopy in a Suitcase coordinator, based at the University of Leicester, since 2008.

Download Tracy McGhie SIAS Report

Our Team

The SIAS Team at UCC

Coordinator: Dr. Trevor Carey

Ambassadors (Past and Present) (60): Rose O'Mahony, Fiona O'Donovan, Melissa McCarthy, Catherine Ryan, Jessica Doherty, Darragh Buckley, Louise Ryan, Sally O'Hanlon, Shane Daly, Niall Clifford, Tricia Hanlon, Rachel Shanahan, Olga Dennehy, Louise Shanahan, Paul Buckley, Conor Horgan, Emma Alcock, Eimear Heffernan, Christine Wyse, Anya Curran, Emma Coleman, Alison Shanahan, Edward Burgoyne, William Daly, Alex Game, Alex Lonergan, Shona Doyle, Jennifer Halpin, Louise Cooney, Anne Gayer, Aisling Foley, Niall O'Sullivan, Uday Khandavilli, Aobha Hickey, Eadaoin Casey, Katie O'Connor, Kevin Sheehy, Mary Hennessy, Edel Murphy, Aoife Kearney, Robyn Kehoe, Niamh O'Mahoney, Siobhan Breen, Mark Power, Hayley Furnell, Patrick Murphy, Kevin Daly, Aidan Cregan, Amy Lowry, Josh O’Donnell, Michelle Ryan, Michael McGrath, David Ryan, Katie O’Callaghan, Emily Duggan, Eimear Courtney, Aoife Carroll, John Downey, Alex Grant, Hazel Neill.

When?

Spectroscopy in a Suitcase is available during the school year from September 1st to June 1st, at a time/date suitable to both the school and the host institute.

How to Book

Spectroscopy in a Suitcase (SIAS) bookings are made through the RSC website and their online booking form. This is a free scheme, and there is no cost involved for the school.

Once you have made your booking, we do the rest! A member of our team will be in touch to set a date/time for us to arrive at your school with Spectroscopy in a Suitcase. We will bring everything needed to run the UV and IR experiments.

Statistics

  2019/20 2018/19 2017/18 2016/17 2015/16 2014/15 Total
Schools Visited 35 53 46 53 57 34 278
SIAS Sessions 41 63 56 60 74 49 343
Student Reach 624 988 860 972 1488 961 5893

 

Where Have We Been?

Further Information

UCC SIAS Co-ordinator: Dr. Trevor Carey
UCC SIAS: sias@ucc.ie
Twitter: @sias_ucc

Photos | Spectroscopy in a Suitcase

School of Chemistry

Scoil na Ceimic

Second Floor, Kane Building, University College Cork, T12 YN60

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