Inspiring the gifted and talented

How do we challenge and enthuse the best chemistry students in schools and colleges to go on to study chemistry at university, and eventually become teachers to inspire the next generation of chemists? The Chemistry Network, launched in April with funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to the tune of £190 000 for three years, aims to address the problem by targeting 'able, gifted and talented' (AG&T) chemistry students, initially in years 9 and 10 but eventually across all key stages, with activities that will challenge and take them beyond the curriculum.