Polymer Study Tour places still available

Places for the Polymer Study Tours run by the Worshipful Company of Horners in conjunction with the British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) are still available for the 27th - 30th June and 11th – 14th July 2010. Teachers interested in participating in the popular three-day polymer education programme aimed at promoting the importance of plastics to everyday life can still register at www.polymerstudytours.co.uk.

The Polymer Study Tour aims to give participants a greater understanding of the science, technology and applications of polymers (both plastics and rubbers).  On the course participants will visit the sites of major plastics processing companies, attend lectures and get involved in discussions with leading figures from industry and academia. On a more practical level, there will also be sessions in the laboratories where the teachers will be able to operate machines to make and collect samples for their schools and use test equipment.

Teachers who complete the course will receive a Certificate of Attendance from the Association of Science Education (ASE) for their CPD portfolio.

There are three course dates available this year spread across three locations:

• London Metropolitan University 27th - 30th June
• University of Manchester 11th - 14th July

The significant benefits of the scheme are recognised by companies in the plastics industry who contribute to the cost of the courses. As a result of this company involvement, the cost of the course is only £150 per teacher. To date approximately 1800 teachers have benefited from this scheme, and due to the popularity of the course amongst teachers, this year the scheme has a only a handful of spaces left.

To register your interest for this course, please go to www.polymerstudytours.co.uk . If you require further information please contact Lorna Hewson on 0207 457 5003 or email [email protected]

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Worshipful Company of Horners maintains the constitution, traditions and customs of the City of London and supports the Lord Mayor and Corporation in promoting the status and the image of the city. The company seeks to maintain and support the ancient crafts of the Horner and Bottlemaker and promotes the interests and developments of Plastics, the Plastics Industry and scientific education. It does so while promoting the good fellowship and welfare of its Liverymen, Freemen and its guests.

British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.

Polymer Study Tour 2010 outline

Day 1.
Starts Sunday afternoon to allow for travel to the course

• Introduction to the course and plastics industry
• The Schools Affiliate Scheme
• Dinner, followed by informal ice breaker event such as rocket car racing

Day 2
• Polymer Materials and Polymer applications – formal lectures
• Polymer Workshop in the labs – Hands on processing and testing where the teachers get to make things and break things, and take photos for their schools
• Dinner, followed by guest lecture from local industrialist or academic

Day 3
• Industrial visits to local plastics processing companies – photo opportunities
• Course dinner with short speech by an Officer from the Worshipful Company of Horners

Day 4
Closes about 4pm