DONATE
header slider image
header slider image
header slider image
header slider image
header slider image

Festivals of Chemistry

The Salters’ Institute’s Festivals of Chemistry are aimed at 14-16 year olds. Our Festivals encourage learners to ‘Discover Chemistry’, explore the subject and see how it can be a pathway to many careers.

Our Festivals of Chemistry date from the early 1990s. They have a long history of engaging learners with hands-on practical chemistry delivered at universities across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

 

Festivals of Chemistry 2026

The Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry programme operates a hybrid approach that includes videos, classroom activities and day trips to universities.

Stage 1 – Discover Chemistry Careers

Fifteen videos and classroom activities embedded into short lesson plans which delve into chemistry as a subject, its applications in the real world and the career pathways it offers. Great to use as starters or plenaries which align with Gatsby Benchmark 4. Explore a range of topics including medicine, materials and green chemistry.

Stage 2 – Discovery Days

Discovery Days take place regionally at universities with an exciting programme including inspiring talks from those working or studying in chemistry and a hands-on practical chemistry experiment within the university laboratory. Also included is a teachers’ science session for teachers in attendance.

As part of the Discovery Day, students will conduct an experiment in the university’s lab which will enable them to gain invaluable practical laboratory skills. Students will work in pairs to synthesise aspirin. All relevant safety sheets and risk assessments will be shared with attending schools prior to the event, and we ask that teachers inform us of the level of practical experience of each student attending so we can ensure every participant gets the most out of the day.

For more information, on the different elements of the programme and further details on the format of the Discovery Days, please Download the School Booklet

  • 4,300

    students aged 14-16 year olds have taken part in the Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry since 2021.

  • 90%

    of teachers felt that their students had increased confidence in their chemistry practical skills after attending a Discovery Day.

Register your school for Festivals of Chemistry 2026.

Please complete the form below to register your interest in our Discovery Days or receive an access code for Stage 1.

Applications for the Festivals of Chemistry Discovery Days are now open. Registration will close on Monday 16th February 2026.

Registrations for our Discovery Days in Cambridge are now closed, we will contact schools that are offered places or added to the waiting list over the next couple of weeks.

Please use the form below to register you school’s interest to attend a Discovery Day. We will notify you of the outcome of your application in early March.

In addition, you can find learning resources for Stage 1 – Discover Chemistry Careers on our Festivals of Chemistry website. If you would like access to these resources, then please also complete the following form.

Festivals of Chemistry 2026 Registration Form

All data will be stored in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which can be read here: https://saltersinstitute.org/privacy-policy/

Interested in (please tick all that apply):
Interested in:
Interested in:
Interested in:
Interested in:
Interested in:
If you are registering your school’s interest to attend a Discovery Days, which year group of students do you intend to bring? (If other, please specify)(Required)

Would you like to receive news about our other programmes e.g. Awards?(Required)

Head to the Festivals of Chemistry Website

We launched our new format in 2022 creating a hybrid model for learners, teachers and schools. Check out where you can find the careers lesson plan and other classroom activities!

Click here!

If you have any queries about Festivals of Chemistry, please email [email protected].