On February 19th, Clongowes chemistry students participated in the RSC ‘Spectroscopy in a Suitcase’ workshop with Dr. John O’Donoghue from the Royal Society of Chemistry and a team of three TCD postgraduates from Trinity College Dublin. Using a forensic themed ‘Whodunit’ scenario, students were given a fascinating insight into the world spectroscopy and its applications.
Students were engaged in analysing solutions using state of the art UV and IR spectroscopic instruments, not typically available to second level students due to their high value. It was amazing to hear Dr. O’Donoghue explain the high levels of precision needed to produce these miniaturised, highly precise and powerful instruments.
This experience offered our students a unique opportunity to engage with this exam topic in a real and hands-on manner. Moreover, the TCD PhD students were approachable and provided answers to questions on their personal experiences working in and study of chemistry at university level. We would like to extend our thanks to John and his team for such an enjoyable and engaging afternoon.
Ms Edith Kearney
