Secondary school students spend their summer in FCH BUT laboratories: “Chemistry is an essential part of every field. Simply love.”
Cosmetics, bioplastics or crime scene investigation. Three different topics with one thing in common: the opportunity to experience chemistry first-hand. This year’s summer schools at the Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology gave secondary school students several days packed with experiments, laboratory work and opportunities to discover just how much chemistry has to offer in practice.
The Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology has prepared summer schools focusing on cosmetic chemistry, sustainable chemistry and forensic analysis. For many participants, however, they are more than just an interesting way to spend part of their summer holidays. They also come to find out whether chemistry is really something they enjoy and might like to pursue in the future.
Who can solve a crime? Chemists!
The first summer school appealed not only to fans of detective stories, but above all to those interested in how chemistry can be used to solve real crimes. The Forensic Analysis Summer School: Solve a Crime Using Chemistry! took students into the world of forensic science, where chemical and biological methods became tools for tracking down the culprit.
During the two-day programme, they investigated a fictional case involving the missing Elixir of Life. To solve the mystery, they had to use techniques including fingerprint analysis, blood detection, DNA isolation, chemical analysis of an unknown substance and chromatography. Rather than carrying out a series of unrelated experiments, they were presented with a specific problem that they gradually unravelled using scientific methods.
The opportunity to discover how even seemingly simple laboratory methods can help solve a case was one of the highlights of the programme. “My biggest wow moment was discovering that even something as simple as paper chromatography can help solve a crime,” another participant said.
For some participants, the summer school even changed the way they viewed chemistry itself. “I have to admit that this programme made chemistry much more interesting for me. I can say that I have a better relationship with it now and I’m taking away something new,” one student wrote in their feedback.
And what did chemistry mean to them after two days in the laboratory? One participant summed it up simply: “To me, chemistry is magic that is all around us. Thank you.” They even added a little heart to their answer. And they were far from the only one.
From the microbiome to your own cream
What exactly goes into the cosmetic products we apply to our skin every day? Participants in the Cosmetic Chemistry Summer School: From the Microbiome to Cream had the opportunity to find out.
Over three days, they explored the skin not only from the perspective of cosmetics, but also through microbiology and chemistry. They measured its properties, observed samples under a microscope, collected microbiome samples and cultivated microorganisms. The programme also included the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant material and an introduction to the composition of cosmetic products.
The journey from basic principles to a finished product culminated in students formulating their own cosmetic product to take home. The variety of activities and the combination of theory with hands-on testing were also strongly reflected in their feedback.
“My biggest wow moment was the entire programme. From theory to practical work and doing our own testing,” one participant wrote. 
Students also appreciated the atmosphere and the opportunity to spend several days with people who shared their interest. “It was fun. I enjoyed being around people who are interested in chemistry,” one student wrote in the feedback questionnaire. Another participant was impressed not only by how much she had learned, but also by the atmosphere at the faculty: “My wow moment was how well everyone looked after us and how kind everyone was. I learned so many interesting things.”
And how did they describe their relationship with chemistry after three days at the faculty? “Chemistry is a blast. Sometimes literally,” one response joked. “Chemistry is an essential part of every field. Simply love,” another participant wrote.
From bacteria to bioplastics
The third summer school focused on a topic that is playing an increasingly important role in both science and everyday life: sustainability and new materials.
During the Sustainable Chemistry Summer School: From Bacteria to Bioplastics, students explored both microbiology and chemistry laboratories and followed the journey of a material from microorganisms all the way to the final product. They learned how bioplastics are produced, prepared the material themselves and then tested its properties. They also tried processing it using 3D printing and learned about the principles of recycling and sustainable materials management.
Another student described the highlight of the programme more broadly: “A wow moment for me is when things finally fall into place, but at the same time open the door to discovering even more about the world.”
And chemistry after completing the summer school? “Fascinating, logical, complex and fun,” read one response. Another participant described it as “an incredibly interesting field”, highlighting the experiments, problem-solving and humorous comments throughout the programme.
Three topics, one shared experience
Although each summer school presented a different side of chemistry, participants’ feedback shared one common theme: the opportunity to leave the classroom behind, work with their own hands and experience chemistry in real university laboratories.
The programmes received an average rating of approximately 4.7 out of 5, and every respondent said they would recommend the summer school to their friends. 
The feedback also shows that, alongside the experiments themselves, students appreciated the opportunity to experience the faculty environment, meet people who work professionally in chemistry and gain a clearer idea of what university studies are like. Some respondents are already considering studying at the Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology, while many expressed interest in attending other faculty events.
A few days in the laboratory can therefore be more than just an interesting summer experience. They can also provide an opportunity to discover whether chemistry is the field they would like to pursue in the future. As one participant wrote: “This summer school showed me that chemistry is fun and that I want to continue with it in the future.”
This year’s programme is not over yet. Another session of the Forensic Analysis Summer School will take place on 24–25 August, with 15 secondary school students registered to attend. Altogether, 44 participants will take part in the Faculty of Chemistry’s summer schools this year.
And perhaps some of them will become future students of the Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology.
-jo-
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| Link | https://www.fch.vut.cz/en//f96620/d355603 |