The Chemistry of All Hallows’ Eve and Bonfire Night!

The stage was set with rows of handmade pottery pumpkins menacingly grinning, alongside colourful potions glistening in glass beakers: a promise of the magical chemistry to come. As the lights went down, a packed audience of over 300 students - from King’s and the surrounding schools – parents, and friends of the school let out a ripple of ‘Ooo’ in anticipation. On stage, cloaked in suitably black lab coats, Tim Harrison, esteemed Bristol University ChemLabs’ School Teacher Fellow and Outreach Director, joined Saskia O’Sullivan, Deputy Head (Academic) and Chemistry teacher, on a surprising scientific journey.

The evening of experiments included how to make slime, fake blood, fog, colourful flames, matches and even a glowing phosphorous ‘moon’. The audience excitedly learnt how the special effects seen on famous spooky film are achieved; along with understanding how, closer to home, the vibrant colours of fireworks are created. Several of the experiments elicited cries of ‘whoa’ and claps of amazement. The entertaining narrative to each demonstration was cleverly peppered with memorable and enlightening facts, in order to explain the chemistry behind the spectacles. Did you know, for instance, that the presence of copper means spiders’ blood is blue?

The interactive evening was a feast for the senses from sudden bangs and flashes to interesting sizzles and scents of toffee apples and bonfires – which were passed around the audience on sample fragrance sticks.

It was so delightful to see so many pupils and friends of the school enjoying the entertaining and educational evening. Many people went up to the stage at the end to get a closer look at the incredible temporary laboratory and those watchful pumpkins, made by our Year 8 pupils.

The event was sponsored by the King’s School, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and Bristol University.