Introduction
The Top of the Bench competition is designed to enthuse and excite children with chemistry and encourage them to consider further education and careers in chemistry. It is one of the Å·ÃÀAV’s longest-standing activities for school children: together with our members we have been organising and running it for more than 20 years. While the competition will no longer run on a UK level, the Å·ÃÀAV’s local sections in Scotland have committed to maintaining support for this event. Previous events have been much enjoyed by teachers and students alike. This year, we are expecting 21 teams from local schools!
The local section can provide support for reasonable travel costs to attend the event where a school feels this is needed to enable their participation.
Format
Rules for entering a team of 4 students - Each team should be made up of the following:
o 1 student from S2
o 2 students from S3
o 1 student from S4
Team members must be in these school years for the heats and the Scottish Final.
Only students that have not taken part in the competition previously may participate.
Each team must be accompanied by one teacher.
Programme
9.30 – 10.15 – Registration and Refreshments (outside Room 237ABC, Advanced Research Centre; see below for map and address)
10.15 – 10.25 – Welcome, Room 237ABC
10.25 – 10.35 – Allocation of teams to spaces
10.35 – 10.55 – Quiz round 1 (20 mins)
10.55 – 11.05 – Break
11.05 – 11.20 – Quiz round 2 (15 mins)
11.20 – 12.00 – Early career researcher talks
12.00 – 12.10 – Break
12.10 – 12.25 – Prize giving and announcement of winners
12.25 – Close