BIG bangs and explosions kept the attention of hundreds of students who took part in an event to learn more about chemistry.

Around 250 pupils from secondary schools in Basingstoke and beyond visited Queen Mary’s College (QMC) where they took part in the Chemistry at Work event, organised in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry, aimed at giving students an insight into how the subject is used in real life.

Students took part in different workshops organised by businesses and organisations including The University of Reading, The University of Southampton, Air Products, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Atomic Weapons Establishment.

Groups of 15 students, aged between 14 and 16, worked their way round different workshops, each lasting 20 minutes.

Marcus Rutland, head of chemistry at QMC, in Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke, said: “This was an event that happened across the country, and which was promoted and sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

“The idea was to open the eyes of kids at secondary school to realise how much impact chemistry has in society and their lives and the opportunities it will give them in terms of their own careers.”

Workshops included finding the structure of a drug molecule, analysing fingerprints, the science of explosions and how to weigh a molecule.

Mr Rutland said: “The feedback was great. The students certainly enjoyed the bangs!”