Anatomy of a Firework

There's more to a fireworks display than meets the eye. This interactive activity from the NOVA Web site looks at the technology behind each burst of light.

Dissolving Salts in Water

In this interactive activity adapted from Iowa State University, design and carry out an experiment: dissolve salts in water, see how different ionic compounds produce different reactions, and observe the resulting changes in temperature.

Elements of Steel

This resource from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Web site, which contains both an interactive activity and illustrated text, looks at the composition of different types of steel and their impact on technology.

Fireworks! Lifting Charge

In this video segment adapted from NOVA, learn how pyrotechnicians use common compounds to blast fireworks into the sky and give them shape.

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Fireworks! Making Color

What gives a fireworks display its brilliant blue, green, and red colors? Learn how pyrotechnicians give fireworks color in this video segment adapted from NOVA.

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Graphing the Periodic Table

This interactive activity from the American Chemical Society presents the properties and electron configurations for all the elements in the periodic table. Discover patterns by plotting the elements' properties according to their place in the table.

Ionic Bonding

In this interactive activity from ChemThink, learn how ionic bonds are formed and how an ionic bond structure is represented by its formula.

Island of Stability

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, follow scientists in their quest to understand how stable elements are made and how to create the elusive element 114.

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Molecular Shapes

In this interactive activity from ChemThink, learn about covalent molecules and how the VSEPR theory predicts the shapes of covalently-bonded molecules.

The Origin of the Elements

This video segment adapted from NOVA explains the origin of the elements and how scientists use unique element profiles to identify supernova types.

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Pyrotechnically Speaking

Meet chemistry professor Dr. John Conkling in this interview from the NOVA Web site and learn why fireworks are his passion.

Pyrotechnics: It's Elemental

In this interactive periodic table from the NOVA Web site, find out the role of various elements in making fireworks.

The Structure of Metal

In this interactive activity from the NOVA Web site, animations explain different aspects of the properties of metal.