23 replies to this topic

[GZ22]

The BBC are showing a three-part series starting at 21:00 on BBC2 this Friday. I will certainly be watching it!

http://www.broadcast..._fireworks.html

http://uk-tv-guide.c...rocket-science/

[Vic]

Thanks for that GZ22 I will be watching it too

[dr thrust]

great show did anybody catch it?, very interesting seeing inside the le maitre grounds and test facility, hmm just need a grain silo in my back garden now .
one point i thought was rather sad, the fact that after they got into the rusted lock on the the schools chemical store it transpired that most items in the store where over 25 years old and useless!, so what does that say about chemistry in schools these days?

[pyromaniac303]

I missed this on friday but managed to watch it on the iPlayer.

Just a reminder that it will be on the BBC website on the iPlayer for a few more days.

A few facts were wrong, but it is much more accurate than most tv programs I've seen on the subject, hopefully it will get people thinking about the firework industry, definately worth watching.

Edited by pyromaniac303, 08 March 2009 - 02:46 AM.

[maxman]

Yes Rocket science was very good. Not sure that the reason the teacher couldn't get a red flame from his strontium sulfate on a wire over the bunsen burner was due to the fact that it was 25 years old though!I also doubt that the 10" shell that the kid was given to hold was deactivated either (how exactly do you deactivate one?) could of been a dummy I guess but more likely they just said that to stop complaint letters!

Next week should be interesting where the kid is doing some "home experiments" to impress the teacher! Looked like he was lighting some red comp on tin foil in his back yard. Now will he get in trouble (albeit not illegal)

[crystal palace fireworks]

Yes,...........good program and insight into how fireworks can inspire an interest in science/engineering in general for kids in schools,...............I think the idiot politicians in our past & present governments have a lot to answer for,........ by the virtue of dumbing down our education system in general, and for not investing/spending money in finding enthusiastic science teachers like `Andy Smith`.


Im hopeful that there is a real opportunity that the UKPS (once its significantly increases its membership) can approach government education departments etc for the funding of a dedicated in-depth college fireworks school for over 18`s (wells factory) plus two others in the midlands and further north.

I also think it would be a good idea to make contact with `Andy Smith` to see if he would be interested in joining us for the above reasons,.....given he has media exposure and won awards for teaching.

Can`t wait for the next program!

[Arthur Brown]

May be an opportunity for the UKPS to offer technical assistance to schools wanting to do fireworks themselves. Though I doubt all the "names" used in the first programme will want to do continuing freebies.

Note early on in the prog "Trying to teach fireworks without giving the formula for gunpowder!" I thought most kids had found the Los Alamos files on the www by the age of 15!

[crystal palace fireworks]

May be an opportunity for the UKPS to offer technical assistance to schools wanting to do fireworks themselves. Though I doubt all the "names" used in the first programme will want to do continuing freebies.

Note early on in the prog "Trying to teach fireworks without giving the formula for gunpowder!" I thought most kids had found the Los Alamos files on the www by the age of 15!

Yes, in principle I think this is a excellent idea Arthur, but I guess agreed boundaries will have to be drawn up on what can or should be taught or handled legally regarding comps to under 18s (even though we know 15 year olds are resourceful via the internet) in a school lab environment or field.

I don`t see why each of the kids can`t make the decorative tube casings filled with clay ends, or to construct lance framework or to construct a floating parachute or many other types of fireworks,....... providing we do the actual handling/filling of the comps ourselves (perhaps away from site), and then film it.

We could also teach them safety, equipment, PPE etc (giving demos on what happens if you wear the wrong clothing near fireworks etc) and perhaps tell them about the history of fireworks and show some old pathe news reels etc.

We as an organisation will have to charge local education authorities for our time, materials, travel, labour etc.

I think a rolling roadshow visiting one school a week in each of our counties could work brilliantly, as each year comes and go`s, new pupils come through (more work and revenue for us to build our society each year), and possible future membership to our society when they are 18.

[phildunford]

Very interesting and certainly something UKPS should get on the back of.

I've considered offering to do a 'science club' at the school where I work, but lazyness and dislike of kids has prevented me.!Will offer tomorrow!

We still face the thin line between experiment and construction, but it must be possible to find a way. I was lucky enough to attend one of Colonel BB Shaw's explosive lectures when I was a kid - life changing experience! - Don't think he would be able to do it now.

[Arthur Brown]

Perhaps some CRB checked members of the forum could assist their local "head of science" with something exciting for the little bratstards. Perhaps the Society leaders could decide if this is an appropriate activity.

Pathé is as old as the dinosaurs, a PussyCat Dolls video would be old hat for most of the little angels and would possibly have some OKish pyro

Yes the Shaw lectures, and Blaster Bates monologues were very interesting. Mike Bang on here does lectures like Dr/Col Shaw's lectures in conjunction with Brighton Uni. Perhaps he was the reason for the Brighton reference in the programme. So far credits in the prog have been a bit patchy -Le Maitre get lots of name checks, Kimbolton get one second of a logo'd shirt in shot. Even FireOne got a product placement.

Now let's see what and if there is a second instalment of the prog

Edited by Arthur Brown, 08 March 2009 - 03:12 PM.

[phildunford]

Nice idea CPF. I don't think we quite have those sort of resources (yet!).

You do have to bare in mind that most schools' attitude to fireworks is very hostile. At my own school the policy is permanant exclusion to any kid caught with a firework - no exceptions, no negotiation. I think our way in has to be (as in this programme) through the science lessons.

Arthur makes a valid point, If you don't have enhanced CRB (I do) you would have to have a member of staff with you at all times, for the kids protection and yours...

[crystal palace fireworks]

Yep, point taken guys,.........my thoughts at the very first hurdle were to work with science teachers in the lessons as a live event,........ I don`t advocate or encourage kids to carry fireworks in any capacity, but I believe there is way forward along the lines mentioned earlier.

I think our approach should not be with selected individual schools, but to get the backing of the government and local education authorities in the first instance to encourage an interest in science in schools,.... with fireworks as a art and science form in its own right, Im sure with an increase in our membership, our body could make representations, providing we can greatly increase membership to the UKPS in the not too distant future.

Im sure that we could get funding to buy/provide equipment to carry out this activity from government education authorities, providing we are professional in our attitude........ alongside some members offering proof by way of taking the appropriate professional pyro courses already on offer.

If you think about it, there is definately a shortage of interest in science subjects in schools, so I think we have a good chance to fill that gap.

If possible, I think it would be a good idea to make contact with Andy Smith at Woodchurch high (wirral), and see what he says!

I know what you mean phil, I too am not too keen on presenting a lesson to some of the adolescent smumbags on my own, but I am thinking along the lines of at least two of us, plus a science teacher and class assistant.

I too have a CRB enhances disclosure, plus I am waiting for my other security clearence passes (IVC/CTC) in connection with government work that I am connected with to come through soon.

Where can I find info on Colonal BB Shaw and Blaste Bates monologues?

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 08 March 2009 - 07:51 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

Shaw is not easily traced, but Bates does exist on various 60s recordings and I have heard that one of the P2P music sharing sites did have something of his, which and whether they still have.....?

Realistically no education authority is going to pay to have little bratstards taught to make bo mbs. However some of the more knowledgeable forum members may have the opportunity to act as volunteer visiting tutors under the close supervision of the head of science, to do what the programme set out to do; motivate kids to do science.

The trouble is that parents are now so risk averse and litigatious that all this may never happen.

In my school chemistry days lab benches had reagent racks and reagent bottles with etched labels. Nowadays to minimise the risks the reagents have gone (bottles on ebay!) and only the benches and hard stools remain -no wonder chalk and talk science is boring.

Edited by Arthur Brown, 08 March 2009 - 08:12 PM.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Shaw is not easily traced, but Bates does exist on various 60s recordings and I have heard that one of the P2P music sharing sites did have something of his, which and whether they still have.....?

Realistically no education authority is going to pay to have little bratstards taught to make bo mbs. However some of the more knowledgeable forum members may have the opportunity to act as volunteer visiting tutors under the close supervision of the head of science, to do what the programme set out to do; motivate kids to do science.

The trouble is that parents are now so risk averse and litigatious that all this may never happen.

In my school chemistry days lab benches had reagent racks and reagent bottles with etched labels. Nowadays to minimise the risks the reagents have gone (bottles on ebay!) and only the benches and hard stools remain -no wonder chalk and talk science is boring.

Providing the kids don`t handle the comps, and are not taught the full exact formulas or processes........I can`t see a problem with litigation, anyway, as part of the negotiations with the relevent bodies concerned, I am sure we could arrange legal insurance cover at the expense of the authorities to cover our backsides so to speak!

[phildunford]

I have the Shaw lecture, but only as a streaming video. I need to figure out how to get it into a more friendly format.

It was the one he gave at Stanford in the US, but pretty much the same as the one I saw at UCL in the mid 70's! I was chatting with one of Stanford's web guys last year and he kindly uploaded it to one of my servers...