Fire, flame and explosions: Exciting learning in chemistry. part i. notes and ideas for teachers

© 2011, Foundation Journal of Science Education. All rights reserved. This paper describes the rationale, presentation and possible follow up for a demonstration lecture about fire for students within the age-range 8-14 years and their teachers and parents. It has been developed by the author over the past 15 years and presented, in various forms, to about 8000 students mainly under the auspices of regional lectures to schools for the Royal Institution of Great Britain. It is hoped that readers will be encouraged to develop some aspects of this programme and include, them in their own teaching or even to develop a lecture that they can enjoy sharing with others from the wider community. It is essential that anyone making use of these materials ensures that they are competent and confident to carry out the experiments safely and that an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken for the context within which they are working. This text provides a general introduction aimed at teachers and describes many of the main ideas useful in understanding fire in the primary and early secondary school. It also provides some ideas for practical work and investigations that could be used by teachers in the classroom or laboratory. Hopefully, teachers will enjoy doing at least some of the activities carefully and their students will be inspired by observing this enjoyment and learn to ask questions, to wonder and to use fire with care and respect.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex