The Thames Valley section established a schools challenge cup in memory of their Education Officer, Phil Smith, who died in a road accident last year. 

In the competition for the Phil Smith Trophy, schools suggested experiments relevant to their chemistry syllabus that they would like to see demonstrated and filmed as a teaching resource. 

The winning entry came from Kirsty Emery, of Didcot Girls School, who suggested the reduction of iron oxide to magnetic, metallic iron. Lynn Nickerson, the school's science club coordinator, received the trophy on behalf of the school from John White, Thames Valley section chairman. Kirsty also received a chemical pattern T-shirt. 

The experiment was demonstrated by Russell Egdell of Oxford University and filmed by Gordon Rushton, a friend of Phil's from their schooldays.