National Chemistry Week activities at the University College of the Fraser Valley consisted of the Annual Chemistry Laboratory Skills Contest for local high-school students. Twelve teams of four students, representing nine different high schools, participated in the day-long contest which was won for the fourth successive year by Yale Secondary School (Abbotsford). Members of the winning team were Manreet Gill, Amy MacKenzie, Jeraldine Chan, and Shahona Nathwani. Second place was taken by the team representing Chilliwack Senior Secondary School, and a team from W. J. Mouat Secondary School (Abbotsford) finished third.

Teams completed three experiments, each of which involved the use of chemicals that are encountered in everyday life: the spectrophotometric determination of phosphoric acid in cola drinks; the synthesis of iodoform, using household bleach as an oxidizing agent; and the qualitative analysis of six white solids found in most homes. Lunch was provided for all the participating students, and the day concluded with a Chemistry Magic Show presented by UCFV staff and students. Prizes for participating students were donated by Fisher Scientific, VWR Scientific, and a number of local businesses and organizations.

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