Fire Safety Science Project

During Fire Safety Week, we like to discuss the three things fire needs:
heat, air, and fuel.

The other day when I was on Pinterest I found this great idea to demonstrate these three things. It is from a homeschool mom's blog. This is such super cute blog and she has some fabulous activities to do with her kids. It made me wish I had a little homeschool class! Click {here} to go to her blog.

I REALLY wanted to do this with my class today and then I thought, "Why not try to make it a science project?" Maybe it could be our class project?!?!

You will need the following materials:

three balls of clay

 three birthday candles

 lighter

 spray bottle (full of water)

 drinking glass

baking sheet

stop watch

 recording sheet

First, I had them record their hypotheses.

Next, we tested to see if fire really needs heat.

I lit the birthday candle and had a student spray it with water. I had another student time to see how quickly the fire went out {or if it didn't.}

Then, we tested to see if fire really needs air.

I lit the birthday candle and put a drinking glass over it to take the air away. I had the same student time this again.

Last, we tested to see if fire really needs fuel.

I lit the birthday candle and we waited until it burned down all of the wax. Once again, the same student timed it. This one takes the longest but it will go out. The kids were getting really nervous. One asked me if I had asked the principal's permission to do this experiment. I was like, "I AM a grown-up, you know! It's okay!" However, I did mention that I could just put the glass over it or I could use the fire extinguisher if need be.

We recorded the data collected on our recording sheets and afterwards we discussed how fire DOES need these things and that it is important to learn about something so dangerous. Especially if they were ever to consider playing with lighters or matches. You never know!

Fire Needs Recording Sheet

Also, I didn't think to include the tracers for my fireman writing project yesterday, DUH!

Here ya go!

Firefighter Tracers 2

One more thing, don't forget to check out Rebecca's blog, Teaching First. She was really cool and gave away a copy of her spider unit to 10 followers yesterday. This fantastic unit is available on TPT, so make sure to head on over to her blog and check it out!

Thanks for reading my blog!

It is so nice to have teachers helping teachers!!!!