Within the framework of the URL Summer University, IQS held the Summer Camp “Experiment and learn: chemical analysis of food, water, and cosmetic products” between 8 to 11 July, aimed at first and second year secondary school baccalaureate students in the science track.
High participation in the IQS Summer Camp aimed at secondary school baccalaureate science students

Over the course of four days, participants were able to learn about Analytical Chemistry techniques by experimenting directly in the IQS laboratories and using the most advanced analytical equipment available in these laboratories. Divided into different groups, they were able to perform the following experiments in concrete: analysis of chlorides in isotonic beverages by means of a potentiometric titration; analysis of proteins in nut samples by means of a Kjeldahl extraction; analysis of caffeine in energy drinks by means of liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV); analysis of fats in industrial pastry samples by means of a Soxhlet extraction; analysis of scents by means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS); and analysis of sunscreens with UV-Vis spectrophotometry.
This year’s Summer Camp was led by Dr Pepa Blanco, Head of the Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry at IQS, and directed by Dr Victoria Codera and doctoral students Laura Angulo and Oriol Rojas from within the same department. In order to properly function, and considering the intensive use of the laboratories, spots were limited and fully reserved.
The students who participated in the Summer Camp came from the following public and private schools: Àgora Sant Cugat, Escola Camp Joliu (L’Arboç), Escola Pia de Vilanova i la Geltrú, IES Cambrils, IES Sant Just Desvern, IES Francesc Ferrer i Guardia (Sant Joan Despí), IES Front Marítim (Barcelona), IES Numància (Barcelona), IES Bescomptat de Cabrera (Hostalric), International School de La Havana, Jesuïtes Sant Gervasi (Barcelona), Jesuïtes Sarrià (Barcelona), La Salle Bonanova (Barcelona), La Salle Manlleu, Liceo Francés de Barcelona, Maristes Rubí, Maristes Sants-Les Corts (Barcelona), Montessori-Palau (Girona), Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Terrassa), Sant Nicolau (Barcelona), The American School of Barcelona (Esplugues de Llobregat), The Columbus School (Medellín), and Vedruna-Vall (Terrassa).