Topic: C4 Chemical patterns
Fireworks stimulate the senses and fire our imagination. They have done for centuries. Behind the bright colours lies electron hopping. This subatomic dance has matched colours to compounds since the first interstellar gases formed. From ancient China's firecrackers to Las Vegas light displays, the colours tell us which elements are present.

Students do a CSI investigation to find the murderer in the park on Guy Fawkes Night, and they meet a lot of science on the way - from rocket science to electron energy levels. They learn how those colour-giving electrons that make fireworks so much fun, fit into the atoms that make up everything - all year round.

For more information and resources go to http://www.upd8.org.uk/activity.php?actid=252 .