INTERNATIONAL Mole Day, a globally celebrated day, held every year on October 23 from 6.02am to 6.02pm, was marked by Commonweal School’s budding scientists who took part in a series of scientific activities.

The day commemorates Avogadro’s Number (6.02 x 1023), which is a basic measuring unit in chemistry.

“Due to it falling on a Sunday this year, our sixth form students celebrated Mole Day as enrichment on Wednesday afternoon,” said Sharon Skelhorn, Science teacher.

“Our 11Y1 had just finished learning about the mole and joined us in our festivities. All our budding scientists had a great time and enjoyed taking part in all the experiments.”

The day was described by one student Roya Seyed-Raissi as: “mole-tastic.”

Another, Harry Timbrell said: “I completed the best colour by number in the world and won a medal” while Summayyah Akhter said: “Hard work pays off- we’re here celebrating science.”

Patricia Russell said: “I was crowned Mole Queen due to my amazing hat” and Conlan Broderick said the day was: “Educational but fun.”

Mole Day was created as a way to foster interest in chemistry.

Schools throughout the United States and around the world celebrate Mole Day with various activities related to chemistry.

For a given molecule, one mole is a mass (in grams) whose number is equal to the molar mass of the molecule. For example, the water molecule has an molar mass of 18, therefore one mole of water weighs 18 grams. Similarly, a mole of neon has a molar mass of 20 grams. In general, one mole of any substance contains Avogadro’s Number of molecules or atoms of that substance. This relationship was first discovered by Amadeo Avogadro (1776-1858).

In the early 1980s the idea to celebrate nationally was launched.

As the years have passed, interest in the National Mole Day Foundation has become widespread. The day is celebrated in many foreign countries, especially in Canada and in Australia.