Description

How can science precisely measure what’s in your coffee and why does it matter?
In this hands-on laboratory program, students explore the chemical structure and physiological effects of caffeine while learning how to analyse its concentration using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Using industry-standard equipment and scientific processes, students investigate a range of drinks – including energy drinks, instant coffee, and decaf varieties, to uncover their caffeine content.

Students begin by using micropipettes to prepare chemical standards and practice precision in measurement. They then run these standards and unknown samples through the HPLC, learning to operate the instrument, interpret chromatograms, and calculate caffeine concentrations using Excel to construct calibration curves. Through this immersive experience, students learn the principles of chromatography, the importance of accuracy vs. precision, and how analytical chemistry applies across industries such as food science, pharmaceuticals, and environmental testing. By the end of the program, students will have gained valuable lab skills, analytical techniques, and insight into future scientific pathways.