1. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 1 Introduction The VAM programme Component for pre-university students - PT scheme linking academia and the workplace

2. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 2 Aims of a Proficiency Testing (PT) Scheme Benchmarking analytical laboratories - Test a known sample - Evaluation of results Provides feedback leading to improved quality

3. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 3 PT Scheme for Schools Select an appropriate partner What analysis to use? - Acid-base titration Choice of test material - homogenous, stable, cheap, non hazardous Time-table

4. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 4 Selection of Partner Why a partner? - Spreads the workload / requirement of VAM - Helps assess viability and nature of exercise - Selection of centres - Independence, need for confidentiality at certain stages

5. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 5 UK: 16+ Education Vocational Route - General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) Academic Route A Levels

6. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 6 Support Material for Schools PT scheme allows the comparison of - results - performance

7. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 7 Choice of Test Fits in with syllabus - Common element titrations Availability of equipment -Advantages of using a titrimetric analysis

8. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 8 Test Material The test material must be homogenous The test material must be stable Number of samples must be considered – unit cost and number of samples required Packaging and distribution of samples

9. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 9 Allocation of Responsibilities (J) = Joint (V) = VAM (N) = Nuffield Agree plan (J) Choice of test material (J) Obtaining test material (V) Homogeneity and stability testing (V) Choice of centres (N) Preparation of information pack (J) Distribution of –documentation (N) –test material (V) Receipt of results (N) Assessment (V)

10. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 10 Test Material Evaluation Homogeneity testing number of samples for testing = n = total number of units Stability testing

11. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 11 Dispatch Information Pack and Test Materials Information pack - student information sheets - student report sheets - teachers notes - feedback questionnaire Dispatch of test materials and information pack

12. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 12 Submission of Results Set completion date Receipt of results Enter results in spreadsheet Statistical evaluation of results - Z scores calculated Evaluation of reports

13. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 13 Calculation of a Z Score for an Individual Result (x i )

14. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 14 |Z|  2 good results (Distinction) 2 < |Z| < 3could do better (Merit) |Z|  3poor results (Participated) Meaning of Z Scores

15. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 15 Z Score Chart 8 4 15 1 6 mbnf 14 1 23 lame 30 a

16. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 16 Evaluation of Reports Grading scripts according to Z-scores and report Individual grading Evidence of good laboratory practice from all centres with high percentages of satisfactory Z-scores Selection of winning centres

17. B. Neidhart, W. Wegscheider (Eds.): Quality in Chemical Measurements © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2000 E. LeePT Scheme for Pre-university Students 17 Outcome Prize winning centres + 2 runners up Individual certificates Awards - link to industry Feedback to centres Production of a resource - Best Practice Guide.