On March 1, 2022, The Chemistry department hosted four classes of pupils of the ninth grade of the Elementary School “Georgi Stojkov Rakovski” from Banja Luka. In the amphitheater of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, pupils and teachers attended a short introductory lecture where the hosts presented their department and the importance of chemistry in industry, laboratory tests, as well as the activities that contribute to environmental protection. After that, as part of the section “Safety in the chemical laboratory”, pupils were introduced to the Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Protocols and Safety Rules, as well as the warning signs that chemists encounter during their daily work.

The second part of the program included a tour of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Students visited the aquarium, various biological collections, and at the end the Microscopy Laboratory, where the students studied prepared zoological microscope slides.

After these activities, the visit continued at the Chemistry Study Program. Students in pairs actively participated in performing the laboratory experiment.  Under the supervision of professors, assistants, and associates, each pair of pupils determined the concentration of a hydrochloric acid solution by volumetric method – alkalimetry.

The purpose of this lab experiment, during one school hour, was for pupils to deepen their knowledge in the field of “Acids and Bases“, to independently use laboratory glassware and techniques, and to learn how to process and interpret the results obtained after the experiment. After the experiment, the students visited other chemical laboratories: Laboratory for sample preparation, Laboratory for materials, Laboratory for synthesis, Laboratory for thermal treatment of samples, as well as Laboratory for instrumental analysis. During the tour, the students saw a collection of minerals whose deposits are on Bosnia and Herzegovina territory, and helped by teaching staff, based on the solubility of selected minerals in hydrochloric acid, performed their classification.

The students showed great interest and willingness to actively participate in the experiments and passed on their positive experiences to teachers and friends. From a large number of activities, they singled out laboratory experiments – alkalimetry, mineral determination, as well as work on a microscope.

Links:

https://georgistojkovrakovski.org/

https://georgistojkovrakovski.org/strucna-posjeta-ucenika-pmf-u/