Chemistry is not always perceived positively by the general public or covered well in mass media. Because of this, many young people are not interested in chemistry or even resist studying the subject. Poorly-trained teachers, a traditional focus on theory, and inadequately equipped chemistry classrooms contribute to chemistry’s negative image. UCT Prague has launched the “Let’s Engage with Modern Chemistry” project, which shows modern trends in chemistry and interesting experiments.
The “Let’s Engage with Modern Chemistry” project offers schools professional yet entertaining and engaging shows combined with many practical, spectacular demonstrations. More than 40 lecturers visit students directly in their school environments.
All the materials for the show were prepared by university instructors with an emphasis on didactics and clarity together with a “wow” effect for experiments. University student lecturers undergo several training stages, focused on work safety, knowledge of experiments, and theory. The instructors also have the option of receiving acting and improvisational training conducted by the UCT Prague Theatre Club.
We have eight different modules, and we're working on a ninth:
I: Introduction to Chemistry
III: Food under the magnifying glass
IV: Forensic Analysis
V: Chemistry and Colours
VI: Food and Nutrition for “the little ones”
Each year we visit up to 150 schools, reaching more than 20,000 children, and in 2022, we taught 1,006 lessons. The project was started in 2005 and is constantly being expanded with new topics and experiments. For chemistry teachers from all over the Czech Republic, this is the most well-known activity performed by UCT Prague.
Many thanks to our partners and sponsors