The Year 7 Scholars enjoyed a fascinating talk by Dr Hill of the Chemistry Department about the chemistry of spheres, in particular the work of Harry Kroto in the generation of Buckminsterfullerene ( Carbon 60) in 1984. So called buckyball molecules had been theoretically predicted years before but were now finally realised. Dr Hill used a variety of visual aids to demonstrate various molecular structures and at the end of the lesson gave the students a kit with which to make their own C60 molecules.
He drew some very interesting comparisons with the actor Sir Ian McKellen who was a fellow student of Harry’s at Bolton School and the way their careers had progressed. Dr Hill commended Harry’s advice to all students to follow their interests with enthusiasm and passion and this is something the Scholarship Programme heartily endorses!
