A team from Rydal Penrhos came in the top 20 of all schools in the country at the recent Top of the Bench finals, held 
at Loughborough University.
This prestigious competition is run by the Royal Society of Chemistry for 14-16 year old students.
Its aim is to increase the participation of young people in chemistry and inspire the next generation of scientists.
After winning the regional heats at Bangor University in the autumn term, the Rydal Penrhos team travelled to Loughborough to compete against 30 other teams.
The team members were Jack Sissons, (Year 9) Amelia Perring, (Year 9) Anjalina Mitra (Year 10) and John Marston (Year 11).
The finalists had to complete a short factual test of chemical knowledge, followed by two-hours of practical chemical problem-solving team exercises.
Their accompanying teachers also attended presentations from the RSC and Loughborough about university admissions, science courses and RSC support for teachers and schools.
The day concluded with a lecture by Professor Paul Thomas, Head of Loughborough’s Department of Chemistry, about the science of scents and how one day soon our breath and skin chemistry will be the basis of diagnosis.
The Rydal Penrhos team emerged joint 18th, beating teams from many much larger schools.
This was an excellent result – well done to all four team members. Loughborough University Vice Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison said: “It was an honour for Loughborough to host such an inspiring group of young people – the scientists of tomorrow.”