Chemistry comes alive for students at Fire Academy

The stage was set for scientific discovery as 75 eager children gathered at the Barbados Fire Academy in Arch Hall, St Thomas, for a hands-on workshop hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Held under the theme Fire and Water, the interactive event on Saturday immersed students in the exciting world of science by demonstrating its relevance to everyday life.

Dr Claire Durant, representative of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a London-based organisation with a local chapter, explained that chemistry is more than just formulas in textbooks, and knowledge in this area could lead to viable and interesting careers.

She said the workshop sought to introduce children to fire in a safe and controlled environment under the patronage of the Barbados Fire Service.

“We do it from a really practical point of view. Things like fire, fire prevention and understanding what is required when a fire starts, and how to put it out besides using water. It is a big area of chemistry.”

There was a lecture on fire safety in the home facilitated by Fire Officer Shalika Charles. She challenged her youthful audience to identify dangerous household habits and stressed the critical need for every family to have a fire escape plan. She also highlighted some of the most common and preventable fire-starting mistakes.

One of the areas addressed was the proper use of fire extinguishers.

The sessions extended beyond discussion. The participants were taught the proper procedures for handling fire extinguishers and learnt about the different types suitable for various fire scenarios. Carib Supply, a key sponsor of the event, was on hand to showcase a range of fire safety tools and personal protective gear used by professionals in the fields and within the home setting.

Excitement grew as students conducted experiments demonstrating how various gases react when exposed to fire, offering them a firsthand view of chemical reactions in action.

One of the biggest highlights was the opportunity to extinguish live fires under the supervision of trained professionals. On the training grounds of the Fire Academy, children eagerly lined up for their turn.

Students were eager to explore and learn more about the fire truck.

To top it all off, participants were given the chance to explore a real fire truck. They enthusiastically climbed aboard, tested the sirens and flashing beacons, and examined the lifesaving equipment used by firefighters daily.

By the end of the workshop, the children left not only with new knowledge but also with a deep appreciation for the role science, especially chemistry, plays in protecting lives and shaping the world around them. (STT)