Polymer Solutions event report

The day kicked off with a lively session run by John Coad which covered polymers in the national curriculum and the sometimes controversial attitudes that pupils and teachers may have about their uses. A very informative discussion of the theory of the chemistry of butyl rubber (produced at Fawley) followed to give a real world context to the chemistry taught at school. As science teaching is always as practical as possible attendees had great fun exploring enquiry-led activities involving polymers, their properties and uses; using homemade rubber bands to test Hooke’s Law, investigating the electrical conducting properties of QTC and bonding in hydrogels kept all engrossed and provided lots of new ideas for engaging pupils.

The next session was focussed on the polymer plant at Fawley and how butyl rubber, which is used in the manufacture of almost all tyres in Europe (amongst many other) is produced, and the collaboration between different job roles involved. This was followed by a “speed networking” session with a range of ExxonMobil’s STEM Ambassadors so that teachers and technicians could explore aspects of the many different career pathways available as routes into employment at Exxon-Mob. This included graduate and apprenticeship pathways to raise awareness of the many routes into employment available to student sin schools and colleges.

The most exciting part of the day was wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) to go out on site and visit the polymer control room, laboratories and finishing plants. The day concluded with a tour of site, which was spectacularly lit in the December twilight.

Everyone evaluated the event very positively and one participant said it was “one of the best INSET days I’ve ever had…”

We would like to thank ExxonMobil and the Horners’ Company Educational Trust for sponsoring this event. We would also like to thank all the staff at the ExxonMobil Fawley refining and petrochemical complex for making this fantastic opportunity possible.