About this day
For A-level, IB, BTEC Level 3 and T Level chemistry students
Join us in Manchester for Chemistry in Action where an engaging line-up of experienced scientists from academia and industry are ready to share their passion and insight across a range of exciting topics. From the fundamental building blocks of matter to the cutting-edge technologies that are changing our world, this inspiring day is sure to spark curiosity in your class.
This day also includes a special session on exam success, giving students practical tools and tips to help them excel. With interactive polls, opportunities to put questions directly to the speakers, and some live experiments to keep you on the edge of your seat – Chemistry in Action is a must for all KS5 chemistry students. Book now to secure your places!
Host: Dr Alex Baker (Chemistry Researcher) Exam Session: Dr Stephen Belding (A-level Examiner)
“A really interesting day full of encouragement to explore science and chemistry further”
— Oakham School, Autumn 2025 —
Programme & speakers
When Medicines become Drugs – How Small Chemical Changes Change the World Alex Baker, University of Warwick
Why is morphine used in the NHS but heroin isn’t? Why is an isomer of methamphetamine sold over the counter in the USA? It’s simple Chemistry. In this talk, Alex will consider the small chemical changes that separate molecules that heal, from molecules that harm and explore the impacts these chemical changes have on the world. Along the way we will think about isomerism, solubility and how medicines work.
About Dr Alex Baker
Alex is an organic chemist with a particular interest in carbohydrates, polymers and nanoparticles. His work is used to design medical diagnostics with a particular focus on the developing world and fighting health inequalities.
The Chemistry of Explosions Stephen Belding, Chemistry Teacher and A-level Examiner
This lecture explores what really makes things explode, from early gunpowder to modern high‑performance explosives. We’ll uncover why some reactions burn while others detonate, how subtle molecular changes unleash extraordinary energy, and what explosives reveal about structure and reaction kinetics. We’ll see how this chemistry underpins technologies from airbags to explosive detection—showcasing chemistry at its most dramatic and extreme.
About Dr Stephen Belding
Stephen is Director of Academic Programmes for Rugby School Global Partnerships, a School Governor, A-level Examiner, and Science Council member for ISEB. He believes that curiosity in the classroom is not a moment but a movement—one that ignites ambition, transforms learning, and endures as a lifelong passion for science.
Under the lens - the edible chemistry of baking Josh Smalley, Chemistry Researcher and Science Communicator, University of Leicester
Ever wondered how baking works at a molecular level? From fluffy bread to glossy meringue, this talk dives under the microscope to reveal the hidden chemistry behind your favourite foods. We’ll follow how proteins and sugars change as ingredients are mixed and heated, and how these structural changes at the molecular level control texture, rise and the formation of flavour.
About Dr Josh Smalley
Josh is a synthetic organic chemist and finalist of The Great British Bake Off. He founded Science Kitchen in 2024, blending food and science through talks, demonstrations and videos. He regularly presents at science festivals and contributes to food science books.
Chain Reaction - The Wondrous Chemistry of Everyday Life Ijeoma Uchegbu, President of Wolfson College, Cambridge
Every moment of life is governed by chemistry. Bonds form and break, reactions unfold, and materials are constantly transforming. This talk reveals how chemistry shapes the world that surrounds us. From plastics and pollutants to medicines, disease, cosmetics and buildings, Uchegbu uncovers the quiet power of chemistry at work in every moment of our existence, transforming the familiar into the extraordinary. It will change the way you see the world!
About Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu
Ijeoma is an inventor, Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience at UCL, and President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. She is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a governor of the Wellcome Trust and Chief Scientific Officer of Nanomerics Ltd, a company that she co-founded. She has appeared on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, Desert Island Discs, BBC Outlook and been featured in the Guardian and Daily Telegraph. In 2025 she was made Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the New Year Honours.
Making the Invisible Visible Rachel Bolton-King, Associate Professor of Forensic Science and Forensic Science Courses Manager, Nottingham Trent University
Someone has been shot, but witnesses are too scared to come forward. Help Rachel use cutting-edge techniques to reveal hidden evidence and establish the truth.
About Dr Rachel Bolton-King
Rachel specialises in the investigation of firearm-related crime and shooting incidents. With 15 years experience working with forensic scientists and legal professionals across the world, she focuses on developing new technologies and practices that help reduce gun crime.