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Spectroscopy in a Suitcase

Spectroscopy in a Suitcase

This project aims to:

  • Promote science as a subject to young people, and to show the excitement of hands-on spectroscopy
  • Provide a simple and versatile equipment to schools for the demonstration of optical spectroscopy
  • Cover a range of experiments to allow coverage of topic for Years 7 to 13, (KS 3, 4 & 5)
  • Have full sets of equipment to be made available for free loans to schools
  • Supply full teacher training and support from University staff

The project has been funded by the HEFCE “Chemistry for our Future” programme, administered by the Royal Society of Chemistry.  We currently have 6 sets of apparatus located in the North East region which are now available for loan.  Any teachers wishing to borrow equipment or who want more information should contact Dr Andy Beeby.

The apparatus covers six main areas of experimentation:

  1. understanding fibre optics,
  2. diffraction and the visible spectrum
  3. absorption spectroscopy,
  4. computer aided spectroscopy,
  5. why the sunset is red
  6. luminescence

For each of these areas these is a number of curriculum applications at different Key Stages; further information on some of these, and more information about the practicals can be found by clicking on the hyperlinks.

This website is intended to provide up to date copies of the PowerPoint presentations for the Suitcases, Teacher’s manuals and evaluation forms. In addition, as the project progresses we will also include case studies and new ideas for experiments – keep looking!

A. Beeby, 04/09/08