On Friday 7 March, Mr Dickinson, Head of Science, visited Windlesham House School in anticipation of British Science Week. As part of his visit, Mr Dickinson delivered a demonstration-filled talk on the science of fireworks to pupils from years 3 to 8.
Pupils were able to observe how the rate of a combustion can be altered by changing the properties and physical state of the fuel. Oxidising agents were then added into the mix as a means of significantly increasing the intensity of a combustion reaction. A carrot gun and a stomp rocket were then used to show how forces are required to get the rocket off the ground. This was improved upon through the use of ‘gun-cotton’, a nitrocellulose soaked pile of cotton wool. To wrap up the talk, the pupils were shown how the metals can be used to add both sparkle effects and colour to the firework.
The science of fireworks display was engaging and very interesting, featuring experiments beyond my imagination! There were explosions that I didn't think I would see in real life, like using flour to breath fire and burning magnesium which made light so bright! Mr Dickinson taught us different facts and experiments in a fun way – I didn't want it to end! He knew a lot about the chemicals and how they react and it inspired me and my friends. I do hope he comes back with more experiments. Whoever next gets to watch the science of fireworks, you're in for a blast!
Matilda (Year 7)
Mr Dickinson explained what was happening really well. At the beginning I didn't know about fireworks but at the end I fully understood how they work!
Andrew (Year 7)
I really enjoyed the science of fireworks show. I thought it was innovative, enthralling and entertaining. Mr Dickinson made the show really exciting and engrossing using his knowledge of science. We all thought the different experiments were fantastic and it was so cool to have such a variety of experiments. Mr Dickinson inspired me and made me think science is amazing. My favourite experiment was when he filled the balloon with hydrogen and exploded it. I also really enjoyed when they put table tennis balls on top of the liquid nitrogen bottle. My rating of the show was 10/10. IT WAS BRILLIANT. I could watch the show 100 times and I would never get bored. He shows how science is amazing!
Sophie (Year 7)
I loved the presentation because he was so expressive. The fire was incredible. How could he make fire the colour green?! That was amazing. He explained the experiments so well and now I know that flour burns really easily. The balloon experiment was so cool but my favourite was the whoosh bottle which was so exciting.
Pepe (Year 7)
