About this day
For A-level, IB, BTEC Level 3 and T Level chemistry students
Join us at 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 Peter Hoare (Newcastle University)
“A really interesting day full of encouragement to explore science and chemistry further”
— Oakham School, Autumn 2025 —
Programme & speakers
Strange Ice Andrea Sella, Chemist and broadcaster, University College London
Ice may be familiar to us, but it’s so strange it breaks almost every rule in the textbooks. Professor Andrea Sella will explore how we know about its properties, how it compares with other ices, and the way in which ice may be the canary warning us that our futures may be much less certain than we imagine.
About Professor Andrea Sella
Andrea is a synthetic chemist and broadcaster who is interested in the structure and bonding in the rare earths. He has been involved in numerous radio and television projects.
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.
It's a Gas Mark Miodownik, University College London
Why are most gases invisible, odourless and tasteless? Why do some poison us and others make us laugh? And why do some explode while others are content just to make drinks fizzy? Discover how these magnificent and illusive elements continue to expand our world.
About Professor Mark Miodownik
Mark is a materials scientist, engineer, broadcaster, and writer, serving as Professor of Materials & Society at UCL and Director of the Institute of Making. His book Stuff Matters won the Royal Society Winton Prize.
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.
Poisonous Tales: A Forensic Examination of Poisons in Fiction Hilary Hamnett, Associate Professor in Forensic Science
Dangerous, dark and difficult to detect, poisons are often used in fiction. Join Dr Hilary Hamnett to discover the poisons that: mimicked death in Romeo and Juliet, caused the Mad Hatter’s malady, and were slipped into James Bond’s martini.
About Dr Hilary Hamnett
Dr Hilary Hamnett is a forensic toxicologist, lecturer and author. She has investigated many deaths and crimes involving drugs, alcohol and poisons, and speaks widely to the public on this topic.