The Hertfordshire and Essex High School Chemistry Department

Q&A with The Hertfordshire and Essex High School Chemistry Department

How would you describe the nature of the team in a single sentence?
Please describe as feels most comfortable to you.

For example, ‘a team from X working with collaborators from Y and Z’, ‘a collaboration between X, Y and Z’, etc.
A dedicated team of teachers and support staff who work together to pass onto their students their understanding and enthusiasm for chemistry.

What would be your advice to educators who are working with colleagues going above and beyond, but are yet to nominate them for an RSC Education prize?
The recognition of sustained and valuable work can make such a significant difference to an individual, a team and the school as well as give pride to the students that are taught by that team. To nominate someone can make such a very big difference – for such a relatively small amount of effort.

How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?
As you slowly become conscious during the first few years of your life you look around and ask 'WHY'. You then spend the rest of your life trying to answer this question through science. What other way is there? (Pete) When I was at school doing chemistry was never a chore or a must-do – instead it genuinely provided me with a sense of awe and a feeling that the world was indeed able to be understood. (Marc) Chemistry is about solving problems and doing puzzles. It is something I found myself to be quite good at doing. The rest is history. (Nathan) I had good teachers at school and I loved making sense of the world around me. (Emily)

Who or what inspires you?
Students, daily. They remind us that there is joy in learning. They provide a different vantage point on how the universe works, and every day I help them start a journey of seeing the world in a clarity that only comes from understanding it.

What motivates you?
That moment when you see a student really understand the value and the potential of chemistry is priceless. (Marc) Any time a student asks the question 'why?' and they are genuinely interested and want to fully understand. (Nathan) Giving young people the opportunity to fulfil their potential. When students walk out at the end of the lesson understanding more than when they walked in. (Emily Church)

What are the qualities that make your team special?
It is a genuinely collaborative team that work together to support each other and the students with mutual respect, honesty and integrity, with a sharp focus on things that actually make a difference. (Pete) All incredibly dedicated to not just the achievements of students in our own classes, but to all students studying chemistry. We want to get the best out of ourselves and the students, and constantly share the things we do that work, so that all can achieve and enjoy chemistry to the fullest. (Nathan) We work together for the best outcomes for all the students, and try to keep a sense of humour and perspective. We also enjoy the art of teaching, so share ideas about delivering great lessons that convey great chemistry! (Emily Church)

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?
Listen to podcasts on chemistry innovations, read as many new popular science chemistry books as you can and research the tangents that interests you. Oh, and do a lot of maths. (Marc) Find an area that interests you and read about it, watch YouTube about it, and really delve into the amazing world of chemistry. (Nathan) Think about how you want to spend your day, and don't worry so much about the job title. Get to know what motivates you and continue to enjoy learning whenever you can. (Emily Church)

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?
Developing artificial photosynthesis to help make sustainable fuels and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

A whiteboard pen that doesn't run out!

Why is chemistry important?
Chemistry is the ether pervading nearly all science.

Chemists inspire the future of every industrial field, underpin the working of biological processes and allow the theories of physics to be made and tested.
A bit arrogant, but really it is the only science.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?
Small: turning a student who didn't like science into one that does. Large: when outstanding results vindicate the hard work of the previous two years. (Pete) Every time a student's eyes widen in class. And when I get good feedback on my PD courses for teachers. (Emily Church)

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?
Lack of money in education – currently this is especially noticeable regarding infrastructure, with insufficient, dilapidated laboratories which make teaching and learning far harder than it could be.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?
One example: the development of battery chemistry has transformed the world over my lifetime and is continuing to do so at a rate of knots.

How can good science education support solving global challenges?
A good science education will provide the future generation with the tools to identify and solve the pressing global challenges that they will inevitably face. Recent experience has surely shown us that scientific knowledge and innovation has, can and will provide answers. Beyond this, however, it is essential as in order to have a thriving, economic and resilient nation, we need a population that can understand the world around them beyond soundbites. A good science education can certainly deliver that.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science / education?
Very rarely does one scientist have the whole answer – the history of science is a history of teamwork.

Ideas never simply come from one person.
Others inspire us and challenge us.

For a bit of fun.
....What is your favourite element?Iron (so much interesting chemistry in relation to so many areas of chemistry, and all the anthropological history to boot!) (Pete) Sulfur. (Nathan)