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Fireworks

  • Key Stage 3
  • Popular Activity
  • Topical

Type: Activity
Learning Strategy: Group discussion
Topic: Fuels

Fireworks use fast-burning fuels to release fabulous bursts of energy. But why do they burn so brightly and how is the energy release controlled?

In this data sort activity pupils explore the chemistry of sparklers, bangers and rockets and learn why fireworks are so difficult to put out once they catch fire.

Published: 4th January 2005
Reviews & Comments: 16

Learning objectives

Students will appreciate that fireworks burn well because they contain their own oxygen supply and will apply this knowledge to fire fighting.

Try the activity


You will need Acrobat Reader installed to open the activity sheets.

Chemical reactions QCA 7F:
Students should be taught that burning requires oxygen; new substances are made in reactions; compounds contain more than one type of atom joined together and fuels burn to release energy.

Using Chemistry QCA 9H:
Students should be taught that chemical reactions make new products and are a source of energy.

Running the activity

Timing: starter - 5 minutes; main 20 minutes; plenary 5 minutes.

Starter activity: Project the image on page 1 which provides the context for the activity. It shows a fire fighter watching a fireworks display. Pupils could be asked to suggest why fireworks burn so brightly.

Main Activity: Page 2 shows how aerial fireworks work and sets the task. Students work in groups of 2 or 3 to select facts about fireworks that would be most relevant to fire fighters. Then they arrange these in order of importance. The data they need is supplied on page 3 as cards to be cut out and sorted. Each group will need their own copy of these.

Plenary: Students should compare the key facts they selected and the order of importance they came up with.

News links

How stuff works
A very comprehensive site which provides useful diagrams and videos.
BBC Science
A good summary of the history of fireworks, the different types of firework and how to use them.
Firework Safety
A firework safety code.

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?

Fireworks review

Nov 5th, 2013

4 Star

Great resource for the 5th November activity.

Reviewer: Lindsay Turner

wi fi

Sep 24th, 2012

5 Star

Excellent activity

Reviewer: Olivia Rodríguez

Fireworks

Nov 17th, 2011

5 Star

In the week preceeding Nov 5th I used the activity with all the pupils in Years 6-8. It was a great sucess and gave rise to much discussion regarding chemical reactions and firework safety. The rockets, stuck to the walls and cross beams, really brighten up the lab.

Reviewer: Lauren Hutchings

Science

Oct 12th, 2011

4 Star

Pupils enjoyed the activity. It kept them engaged and helped them to learn new fact about fireworks. The firework itself can be a bit trick to make, especially the cone.

Reviewer: Nicole Killen

Fireworks

Oct 22nd, 2010

5 Star

I am leaving this with year 8 for a cover lesson. It will provide stimulating and useful work.

Reviewer: rachel naylor

Biology

Jan 19th, 2010

5 Star

Amazing activities, promotes both participation and learning. Works brilliantly for all abilities.

Reviewer: anusha simha

Fireworks review

Sep 28th, 2009

5 Star

Reviewer: Apichart Koykume

Fireworks review

Sep 28th, 2009

5 Star

Reviewer: Apichart Koykume

APP

Sep 22nd, 2009

5 Star

Good resource for completing an APP. Can be used for AF1 and 2

Reviewer: raj singh

chemistry

Mar 22nd, 2009

4 Star

This website has some fantastic ideas, THANK YOU

Reviewer: reps begum

Fireworks review

Dec 15th, 2007

4 Star

My Y7 loved the activity as it linked with the Simple Chemical Reactions topic they were doiing. Although they enjoyed making the fireworks they were quite difficult. It had worked better with a Y9 class previously.

Reviewer: Ann Roche

Paper fireworks

Oct 17th, 2006

5 Star

This is a brilliant activity! The worksheets are well prepared and the idea behind the task is great. It's especially good to do in the weeks coming up to bonfire night.

Reviewer: Hannah Kwaszenko

Fireworks

Jul 9th, 2006

5 Star

I used this activity with a year 9 and 10 class who were studying chemical reactions. They really enjoyed it and the resultant fireworks were very colourful and impressive. The students commented on how much they enjoyed the activity. I thought the activity sheets and teacher notes were well set out and easy to use.

Reviewer: Sue Gibson

Fireworks

Apr 17th, 2005

4 Star

I used this as a homework assignment for Year 7. It went down very well with all pupils producing a firework- some had even made extra large versions from all sorts of different materials instead of using the template. They look great displayed around the lab and helped pupils think about the practical applications of the chemistry we were learning about.

Reviewer: Claire Brown

Fireworks

Mar 30th, 2005

5 Star

I used this with a middle ability Y8 group, near fireworks night. The class realy enjoy making things, I dont think the realised that they were learning! this was good to refer back to later in the topic. the handouts were very useful as they contained the required information without being daunting for the students.

Reviewer: Jennifer Wallington

Fireworks

Feb 23rd, 2005

4 Star

Actually used this with year 9 as I was doing chemistry section (displacement - so had done potassium --> lilac flame / sodium --> yellow flame etc) in early November and we were also doing some fllame tests in honour of Guy Fawkes. Was quite a useful exercise as it revised things like the fire triangle and oxidation reactions etc from years 7 and 8 as well as reminding them of fireworks safety.

Reviewer: Kay Budge

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