From molecules to machines

We were delighted to welcome former MCS pupil Alice Martin (OW 2018) back to school yesterday to speak at the Oxfordshire Schools STEM Forum. Alice delivered a seminar on her current PhD research in Chemistry and Robotics: From Molecules to Machines, at the University of York.

Alice began by reflecting on how her A Level subjects, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, laid a strong foundation for her interdisciplinary research, supporting both the computational and experimental aspects of her work. She emphasised that entering a field combining chemistry and robotics is rarely linear, and that success relies on curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to engage deeply with both theory and practical problem-solving.

She then described the research she is doing in chemistry and robotics, including how robots can make experiments safer, faster, and more sustainable. She also explained her work on reducing the use of metals and using techniques like electrochemistry and colourimetry to study reactions. We found hearing about her achievements in research genuinely inspiring, and pupils engaged enthusiastically throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions during the talk and the Q&A.

We were pleased to see pupils from participating schools attending alongside our MCS pupils, all of whom were highly engaged, taking notes and participating actively throughout the seminar.

Thanks to Alice for such an insightful session with our pupils.