Rachel Chisnall's presentation for #teachmeetNZ for the international year of light

1. Name: Rachel Chisnall
School: Taieri College
City: Dunedin
Role: Science & Chem Teacher,
& general nuisance 
1

2. Fireworks – a SPARK all sorts of
learning
2
Fireworks have an amazing history
Generate discussion
Other Bonuses
- Lots of awesome resources
- Fun practicals that are easy to set up
- Blowing things up 
@ibpossum

3. 3
‘Having fun’
2 ways you can looks at
colours
1) Get some metal
loops/damp bamboo
skewers/metal spoons
and dip them into the
salts. Then place over
a flame
2) Get some salts and
dissolve in alcohol,
then spray through a
flame
@ibpossum

4. 5
Magnesium
Burning magnesium results in a
super bright white light
Burning magnesium powder results
in a home made sparkler
Which can lead to discussion around
surface area and rates of reaction
– slightly more ‘engaging’ than
marble chips
@ibpossum

5. 4
Science behind it….
@ibpossum

6. Great web resources to design your own fire works – http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/
@ibpossum 6

7. Resources
7@ibpossum
I have started posting resources in the presentation (and some more) with
all the links in a pond bucket (my first ) which you can find HERE
Feel free to get in touch with any questions – am happy to help 
Get in touch with your local high school/uni – ours is happy to share the
small amounts of salts required (or hit up Dave Warren also presenting
today )
ibpossum@outlook.com or rfchisnall@gmail.com
Twitter: @ibpossum
Blog – www.ibpossum.wordpress.com