THREE scientists from Stafford Grammar School have seen off challengers from nine counties to win a regional chemistry contest.
Seventeen-year-olds Gemma Skilton, Rathin Pujari and Prakhar Srivastava won the Schools’ Analyst Competition heat at Keele University and have secured their place in the national final at Bristol University.
They have also banked a £250 cash prize for their school’s chemistry department and will compete against 15 teams from across the country during the two-day final later this month.
The trio booked their place in the final by successfully carrying out three practical experiments using ‘unfamiliar techniques’.
Gemma, from Milford, said: “It was brilliant to work in a university environment and use some really high tech equipment that you’d never find in a school.
“We got to do a couple of experiments that we haven’t carried out before and had to trust our results.”
“The final at Bristol will be pretty exciting, although I’m a bit worried at the prospect of competing against all the other regional winners.
“I expect it’s going to be even harder than the last round, so it will be a real challenge.”
