Chemistry is a subject which teaches students how atoms bond together, giving rise to particular chemical and physical properties. As atoms are so small it can be difficult to understand how bonding happens. To help students understand, models are used with tangible items that the students then can relate to the atom, which is invisible to the naked eye.

The modelling kit that you can see the students using in our Year 11 Chemistry class is called a ball and stick model. The ball represents an atom and the stick represents a covalent bond between two atoms. A black ball is a carbon atom, a white ball is a hydrogen atom and the red ball is an oxygen atom. By putting these coloured balls together in particular arrangements the students get an understanding of what an artificial flavour molecules look like, what the main ingredient in vinegar is and what ethanol looks like (which is a key ingredient in hand sanitiser and which is blended with petrol to produce e10 and e85 biofuels).

 
As the students grow in their understanding of chemistry they can apply their knowledge to different fields, from a variety of chemical manufacturing processes, pharmaceuticals, the milk industry and many more.