History

Learn about the history of Festivals of Chemistry, which launched in 1991.

The Salters’ Institute’s Festivals of Chemistry began as one-day events for students aged 11-13 years old. They involved teams of students visiting their local universities to take part in Salters’ Chemistry Challenges and other chemistry-related activities.

The aims of the Festivals, prior to 2021, were to make chemistry more exciting, more relevant and fun for students, and to encourage schools to set up their own chemistry clubs.

None of this could have been achieved without the continual help, support and sponsorship from over eighty universities and organisations.

Since 1991, over 55,000 students at more than 1,000 Festivals have experienced the fun of practical chemistry.

The Festivals were expanded in 2019 to incorporate 13-14 year olds, following a successful pilot programme.

Festivals 2022

See our three-stage, blended approach that includes both online elements and in-person events hosted at universities in the United Kingdom.

Find Out More

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

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.

Festivals of Chemistry 2021

In 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we took our Festivals of Chemistry online. Our focus was regional, with six Festivals across the UK: Festival Scotland, Festival NW, Festival NE, Festival SE, Festival SW and Festival Wales working with universities and educational partners to create a range of online content. Users can immerse themselves in…