Tuesday, 19 November 2024
The Laboratory Development Team at the University of Nottingham’s School of Chemistry has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Team Prize for Excellence in Higher Education in recognition of brilliance in chemistry education.
The team won the prize for dedication to crafting an innovative, skills-focussed, digitally-enhanced practical chemistry curriculum to hone student skills and prepare them for a diverse range of careers.
The team receives £3000, a team trophy, and a certificate. Each team member also receives an individual token of recognition.
The University of Nottingham Laboratory Development Team develop new activities to equip undergraduate chemistry students with practical and transferable skills for a diverse range of careers. The activities encourage students to think critically to solve problems in a reflective way to foster a habit of lifelong learning.
Creating resources and activities that genuinely boost students' skills and confidence is a privilege in itself. Having our contributions recognised by the professional chemistry community makes it even more fulfilling.
Professor Peter Licence, Head of the School of Chemistry added: “I am thrilled to see innovation in teaching being recognised by our professional body, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The laboratory innovation team, here at Nottingham have led on the design and development of an internationally recognised series of laboratory exercises that consolidate core competencies while ensuring engagement and enjoyment. I am confident that our graduates leave Nottingham with the “chemical sciences toolkit” that is required to address global scale challenges including the provision of safer medicines, smarter materials and next generation batteries to drive society.”
Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.
“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.
“The team’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This year’s winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.
The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education – including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills – from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.
For more information about the RSC’s prizes portfolio, visit rsc.li/prizes.
Story credits
More information is available from Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science on Jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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