On 12 May myself and five other students participated in the RSC analyst competition which challenges students to apply practical Chemistry skills in a real-world context.

Throughout the competition, in teams of three, we conducted a series of three experiments: a sodium thiosulfate titration to determine iodine content, thin layer chromatography (TLC) to separate and identify azo dyes and flame tests to detect the presence of metal ions. Each task required precision, teamwork, and strong analytical thinking, which allowed us to develop important practical skills.

The experience was both intellectually stimulating and immensely rewarding, prompting us to apply our prior knowledge to real-life applications . It was also a fantastic opportunity to engage with students from other schools, work under timed conditions, and put our knowledge to the test in a competitive yet supportive environment.