FOR the third year running Launceston College students have achieved a prestigious Gold Award in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.

Since 2017, Year 12 students at Launceston College have entered the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge for Lower Sixth (C3L6).

This competition is organised by chemistry lecturers attached to St Catherine’s College at Cambridge University.

In order to prepare for this, the year 12 Chemistry students at Launceston gave up their Friday lunchtimes to work with Dr Lancaster on solving fiendish chemistry problems that are carefully written to extend beyond the confines of the A-level specification.

This year’s questions included a detailed analysis of organic molecules, using the concept of double bond equivalents. Double bond equivalents are normally not taught until University; the question paper had a brief explanation of what double bond equivalents are and then set the students to using them. Even though this was the first question on the paper, all of the students set about this and the rest of the paper with great determination and did themselves proud.

A spokesperson said: “At Launceston College we have an excellent track record in this competition.

“In 2020, 2021 and now 2022 at least one student has achieved a Gold award. This year that award went to Josh Cavey. Silver awards were earned by Leah Tucker and Josh Degg. Will Neale, James Barriball and Naomi Gribble all received Copper (one of the metals used in making bronze).

“The competition is optional, and this year we had nine students accept the challenge; the most entries in a single year since starting this competition.”

Most of these students are now preparing for the Chemistry Olympiad, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Again they are giving up Friday lunchtimes to tackle past paper questions, ready for an exam in January 2023.

The spokesperson added: “This speaks volumes about the dedication of students at Launceston College.

“It shows that they are inspired to be the best that they can be and suggests that they will go on to great things in their chemistry.”