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PrimaryDesign & TechnologyScience

Bonfire Night activities – learn about forces with fireworks

What's included?

PDF lesson plan plus paper firework template and instructions

Key Stage

KS2

Age

Years 3-4

Bonfire Night and the associated firework displays are always an enjoyable event come November 5th. But they also provide a great learning opportunity, and not just for history.  

In this lesson you can get pupils doing some fun fireworks-themed making, while also learning about several scientific concepts – perfect for lessons on forces – and incorporating D&T skills, too.  

You won’t need many materials for this activity, and can use the printable resources and image provided in the download link to make the activity even easier to set up. Fire away! 

What they’ll learn

  • How a firework works 
  • How the force of thrust works 
  • That air resistance slows down the speed of flight 
  • How gravity pulls things towards the ground 
  • That air can be used as propulsion or thrust 
  • To design and make their own fireworks following instructions 

Laura Cross runs Inventors & Makers, bringing STEM to primary pupils via in-person or online workshops and after-school clubs you can set up in your own school. Use code TEACHPRIMARY to get 10% off STEM workshops or clubs for your school. 

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Bonfire Night activities – learn about forces with fireworks
PrimaryDesign & TechnologyScience

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