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Food Forensic Competition
Glasgow Scientific Services recently launched a new project which takes science into the classroom, in an exciting and informative format. This initiative was called “The Food Forensic Competition”.
Glasgow Scientific Services recently launched a new project which takes science into the classroom, in an exciting and informative format. This initiative was called “The Food Forensic Competition”. The objective of the kit was to spark interest in chemistry in young people. It is aimed at fulfilling the criteria of both the Curriculum for Excellence and STEMNET (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) initiatives in Scotland. The Curriculum of Excellence helps to promote: • Successful Learners • Confident Individuals • Responsible Citizens • Effective Contributors STEMNET was setup to help teachers inspire pupils and enhance the pupils understanding and confidence in the STEM subjects. This pioneering kit was taken to The pupils were involved in extracting colours from a fictious soft drink known as “Fission Fizz” using solid phase extraction. This revolutionary kit contained all of the reagents and glassware required to carry out the analysis in the classroom. The subsequent extract was analysed and run with known standards using paper chromatography to determine the artificial colours present in the soft drink. They examined the label to determine if their paper chromatography results matched (the soft drink had been spiked with a colour which was undeclared on the label). The extracted colour was analysed by an experienced analyst at the laboratory using high performance liquid chromatography. The students then examined the spectra from the HPLC and compared these results with their paper chromatography results. They were also expected to interpret the quantitative amounts of each colour found. The quantities of each colour found using the HP LC were compared with permitted limits using the E U and British legislation sent to them b y the laboratory. The students were expected to draft a report and create a mock court scenario in order to present their findings effectively, based on the Acts and Regulations in the legislation.
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