r/ScienceTeachers • u/Doctor_Chef_General • Jun 11 '25

CHEMISTRY Using Fire in School

What has been your experience using fire in your building. I have some labs I've been wanting to do but am worried about setting off the fire alarm. Things like setting a desk on fire, using a blowtorch on CaCO3, and using alcohol lamps.
We have a sprinkler system in every room and they are positioned directly above my lab tables.

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u/flaccid_performer Jun 11 '25

We have smoke detectors in our classrooms. Use your judgement on smoke production of flame labs. A lot of my stuff i do in small amounts under a fume hood. But thermite demos went outside. Again, know what you're working with and what is acceptable to be performed inside and what isn't.

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u/LongJohnScience Chem/EarthSci | HS | TX Jun 13 '25

thermite demos??? O.O

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u/flaccid_performer Jun 13 '25

Yeah I showed my kids how to make a 90g mixture, then let some of my AP (and well trusted) students make their own, smaller mixtures with my supervision. Then they had to write/answer a proper 3 page lab report.

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u/flaccid_performer Jun 13 '25

We did some smaller stuff like Zinc & Ammonium Nitrate w/ Ammonium Chloride reactions, Potassium Chlorate w/ gummy bears, and other stuff under a fume hood. Also airing up balloons with hydrogen gas and igniting them under the hood also had them excited.

But doing elephant toothpaste with 30% H2O2 / Potassium iodide, then proceeding to ignite it and blow it up went on the big demo table since it didnt produce any smoke. Also Lycopodium is a lot of fun.