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Firework Fun
Type: Activity
Learning Strategy: Information retrieval
Topic: Fuels
It's the time of year for fireworks night and in this literacy activity, pupils find out how fireworks work and why they burn so fast. They make and annotate a paper firework model with information about reactions, energy changes and safety. Pupils then use their models to explain firework chemistry and safety to new firework factory workers.
Published: 28th October 2005
Reviews & Comments: 36
Learning objectives
Students will:
- relate their experiences of fireworks to chemical reactions, recognising the need for oxygen in burning and the formation of new substances in reactions
- consider the energy changes that take place when fireworks burn
Try the activity
- Fireworks Fun Activity
Downloaded: 10649 times - firework fun teacher notes
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Curriculum link
11-14 (KS3)� Chemical reactions [QCA 7f]: burning requires oxygen; new substances are made in reactions; compounds contain more than one type of atom joined together; fuels burn to release energy
� Using Chemistry [QCA 9h]: chemical reactions make new products and are a source of energy
Running the activity
This starter or main activity asks pupils to annotate a model firework template using information supplied. They then make the model - sellotape is the least messy way of fixing it. Pupils use the models to explain firework chemistry and safety to new firework factory workers.
Page 1 provides the context and sets the task. It also includes basic information about burning reactions and energy changes. It can be printed onto transparency or projected.
Page 2 gives the chemistry involved in sparklers, firecrackers and aerial fireworks. It can be projected or printed onto transparency or paper.
Page 3 is a template for a firework cut-out model. Construction instructions are included! Each pupil or pair will need their own copy.
This activity could be introduced by burning magnesium, or dropping iron filings into a Bunsen flame.
Web links
News links
- How Stuff Works - fireworks
- Provides useful diagrams and video footage
- Science of Fireworks
- provides detail relating to the excitation of electrons for colour effects and a list of oxidizers
- How Fireworks work
- gives a good overview of different types of fireworks
Reviews & Comments
Write your online review to share your feedback and classroom tips with other teachers. How well does it work, how engaging is it, how did you use it, and how could it be improved?
Firework Fun review
Apr 16th, 2013
I could download the teachers notes but not the activity. Sounded like a perfect lesson but unfortunately the link wasn't working.
Reviewer: Faye Donaldson
worked wel
Nov 19th, 2012
Reviewer: karen hurst
Firework Fun review
Oct 21st, 2012
Very good
Reviewer: Sarfraz Shah
Great idea
Oct 31st, 2011
A clear and simple to follow activity to introduce pyrotechnics as a seasonal topic between units. Thanks.
Reviewer: Richard Brown
Chemistry
Nov 15th, 2010
The activity on the "Firework Fun" is excellent, a wonderful way to discover and learn chemical reactions. Great idea!! Thanks.
Reviewer: Maria Vincent
Firework
Oct 21st, 2010
Fantastic quick firework activity. Students absolutely love it
Reviewer: shirley jacob
Science
Sep 4th, 2010
I set this activity as part of the 'Chemical Reactions' unit.
It was set as a cover lesson, so the students (Year 7) did it in my absence.
The Cover Supervisor said they enjoyed the activity and they made super firework models. Behaviour was good because they were enjoying themselves.
Great for Yr 7's.
Reviewer: Simone Lively
Firework Fun review
Dec 17th, 2009
An engaging activity but pupils easily distracted from the science behind the activity.
Reviewer: Susan Ajetunmobi
Science
Nov 21st, 2009
My students thoroughly enjoyed the activity.
Reviewer: Myra Vcitorina
Science
Oct 15th, 2009
This is a great lesson pupils really enjoyed it. This lesson helped to reinforce ideas about chemical reactions and dangers, as well asexplaining how fireworks work. The top of the firework is quite difficult to make.
Reviewer: Nicole Killen
Firework Fun review
Jun 16th, 2009
Really great for my classes
Reviewer: Kelly Draper
Firework Fun review
Jan 29th, 2009
Excellent activity! Pupils thoroughly enjoyed making the rockets and presenting their findings to the group. Thank you!
Reviewer: Hayley Thompson
Firework Fun
Jan 26th, 2009
A fantastic activity - I was teaching a class of 12 - 13 year-olds about reactions of metals in air just as we came up to Hallowe'en (which is when we have bonfires and fireworks here in N. Ireland). This activity brought what we had been learning to life - it included exactly the chemical equations we had studied, was relevant and the pupils enjoyed it (so did I!)
Reviewer: Frida Kennedy
year 7 reactions topic
Nov 13th, 2008
Great as a starter or a part activity.
Reviewer: Sam Finlan
murder in the park
Jul 10th, 2008
A super half an hour activity which I incorparated in 21st century science unit C4. Students really enjoyed it and even less able students showed an interest in chemistry.
Reviewer: susan theis
Firework Fun
May 13th, 2008
The model making activity made students focus on the key facts. My year 7 group enjoyed it.
Flame test gave the lesson some colour. Cheers upd8!
Reviewer: john eyre
Science
Mar 18th, 2008
I used this activity with my year 9 science class. They loved it. It was great as it tied in two topics we studied - chemistry and forensics.
Reviewer: Yolanda Deal
hot stuff
Mar 21st, 2007
What can I say these up to date resources are pionering and a pleasure to teach. My classes are so enthused by all the resource I have used form UPD8
Reviewer: gill mortimer
Firework Fun
Nov 29th, 2006
Brill activity. Used this with 2 very mixed ability classes in S2( I think year 9 in England) in the week leading up to 5th Nov. Discussed fireworks safety as an intro. Then made the model firework. Some of the poorer readers did not put a huge amount of information on their firework, but understood exactly what to do. Next lesson we made sparklers using Mg powder and KMnO4. Quite simple . Take a wooden spill, put glue1 /3 of way up on both sides and coat with Mg mixture. (Best done at teachers desk to avoid chance of pupils igniting the mixture) Pupils then light their sparkler. Can be made coloured by addition of metal salts. Risk assessment needed for this. They loved it!!
Reviewer: Barbara Sinclair
Firework Fun
Nov 10th, 2006
I used this with a year 8 class and they loved it. Even the pupils who it is virtually impossible to get work form were on task for the entire lesson!!
Reviewer: Alison Maslen
Firework fun
Oct 15th, 2006
I used this with a Year 9 class as part of "Using Chemistry". We had previously discussed fireworks as one way in which chemistry is useful to us. The students enjoyed the activity, and then in the next lesson we burned magnesium to see how white light is made in fireworks. We also found out how other colours are produced. I shall use this activity again.
Reviewer: Kate Balfour
Fire woks fun
Jul 10th, 2006
I have used it through out a wide ability as it was easy to differentiate. The lesson ended with a poster on fireworks safety. this i will use again.
Reviewer: MARION WILLIAMS
firework fun
Jun 19th, 2006
This is even better if you use Sodium nitrate as an oxidising agent burning filter paper for a little fire writing activity
Reviewer: Gareth Banks
Firework Fun
Jan 7th, 2006
I used this activity with my top set Year 9 class as the second lesson in the 'Using Chemistry' unit. Pupils had just done an introductory lesson revising combustion as achemical reaction and this activity was excellent for placing ideas revised during this lesson in a real-life context. The only criticism of the pupils was that they found it very difficult to make the 'cone' shaped head of the model firework.
Reviewer: STEVE NIXON
firework fun
Dec 1st, 2005
An excellent acitivity! Very easy to use for me and the kids. They loved it! Got some fantasitic fireworks hanging from the ceiling now!
Reviewer: Huma Malik
Firework Fun
Nov 21st, 2005
I used this with bottom set yr 9, who are very hands on pupils who found writing reactions really hard. They loved it!! Plus it really helped with their equations. Will def use this next year!
Reviewer: Gemma Chatterton
Avian Flu
Nov 13th, 2005
I used this as a starter activity with a top set KS4 group whilst covering Microbes and Disease. The discussions that developed from this were exciting and stimulating. From the simple spread of virally transmitted disease, the pupils moved on to viral/bacterial mutations, crossing the species barrier and the biotechnology involved in the industrial production of antibodies and antivirals.
The discussion would not have been out of place with a Yr 13 A2 group!
Reviewer: Janet Cruse-Sawyer
celebrating with fireworks
Nov 10th, 2005
used this with my year 8 class covering reactions as a homework activity , The science department had just had its new garden and to celebrate we used the results of a competion to design a firework to open the garden with a big bang and with sparklers for the design winners.
It was successful on all counts as an interesting homework, introducing science in the real world and in drawing attention to the new garden. Will use again next year.
Reviewer: christine Williams
Firework Fun
Nov 7th, 2005
I used this with 4/4 set Year 9 who are "doing" Chemical Reactions.
We added to the activity with some practical involving burning magnesium and blowing iron filings into a Bunsen burner flame, then did the activity and finished off with commercial sparklers. We accessed some data from RoSPA and then used the lesson to produce a Year 9 Assembly on Firework safety on Friday 4th November.
The pupils really enjoyed the activity and bought into "real science"!
Reviewer: Sheena Wright
Firework Fun
Nov 6th, 2005
This is brilliant! Will be using it for my next lesson with Year 9. I will let you know how we get on. Have done a practical making fireworks for science club, but this is perfect for a lesson. Thanks
Marje
Reviewer: marjorie skidmore
Firework fun 2/11/05
Nov 5th, 2005
I used this with activity with a year 7 mixed ability group combined with talking about the fire triangle. They loved it and came back the next day asking if we were going to make something again. I will definately be using this again!
Reviewer: Tamsin Morrell
Firework Fun
Nov 5th, 2005
I used the slides with my year 11's along with discussion about oxidisers and hazard safety warnings. We also did a fun demo with an oxidiser and glycerol. They loved it!! Especially with November the 5th so close.
Reviewer: Donna Taylor
firework fun
Nov 4th, 2005
I did this activity in conjunction with watching a video of Adam Hart-Davies and his TVprogramme on "Exploding Heroes"
It was enjoyed and this class were able to pratice balancing equations ( gunpowder and sparklers), reviewed combustion & respiration, elements (what colour makes a firework red ?) and for pot luck energy changes and forces
the paper cutting was a bit fidly - so I would enlarge page 3 to A3 size when I do this next year
It is amazing how their attention can be gained by lighting a sparkler at the start of a lesson
Reviewer: Michele Altham
Firework Fun
Oct 31st, 2005
Brilliant activity. Students found it very interesting. Will be using it with Year 9 next week.
Reviewer: khatma bibi
an interesting experience for Ss
Oct 30th, 2005
Normally Ss are not allowed to play with fireworks. This impress Ss very much and help to keep links with difficult chemistry concepts.
Good for Ss at various levels.
Alex
Reviewer: Alex Wong
Firework Fun
Oct 28th, 2005
I used this activity last year and it was a hit with the students.
I will be using it again with my Year 9s
Karen
Reviewer: Karen McQuillan
200 lessons and assessments from as little as £4.95
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