Real Science or Just Bangs? (Science of Fireworks show)

Explore the colourful and explosive world of pyrotechnics as Matthew Tosh deconstructs the STEM behind firework displays.

He'll demonstrate how to create colours, different sound effects, shock waves and perfectly timed bursts in time to music, whilst ensuring that displays are safe. Fully customisable to fit your school hall, theatre or special event and featuring real indoor fireworks, this is an exciting and dramatic show featuring real science.

Matthew Tosh is a hugely popular firework science presenter, appearing at schools, colleges and festivals across the UK. He is an experienced presenter and a professional pyrotechnician, so you always get the real deal with Matthew! You'll find out what it is really like to work in this unusual industry.

As a former science teacher, you can be sure that Matthew will provide an experience that is engaging, exciting and expertly pitched for your audience. His work has also won international support from the global fireworks industry.

Skills and experience

Matthew’s career spans teaching, pyrotechnics, broadcasting and project management. He taught science for five years and became known for his extraordinary, creative and visual demonstrations. He is a senior pyrotechnics supervisor, responsible for managing crews and firework safety at many professional firework displays around the UK. Matthew also provides safety advice for demonstrations at science festivals and tours. You can be sure of his dedication to safe and exciting shows.

Safety

Full health and safety management of the show is provided, along with a venue-specific risk assessment, liaison with your site managers and technical staff. £5m public liability is included as standard. (PLEASE NOTE: Matthew does not issue a standard/template risk assessment as each show is tailored for the particular venue.)

Audiences gain an increased awareness of how a broad range of STEM skills are used in the live events industry and beyond. The show references classroom practicals and teaching, so that students can make the link between what is done in lessons and the real working world.

Oh and did we mention how fireworks actually work? Depending on the format and individual school objectives, the show demonstrates the physical chemistry of colours, rates of reaction, forces, pressure, energy pathways and power, plus examples of mathematical modelling, control systems, safety and probability.

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