Talks and shows

Fire chemistry

Discover the amazing science inside humankind's greatest discovery: fire!

Ri

Join us for surprisingly fiery chemical reactions, the fire triangle and many more exciting explosions as we dive into the chemistry of fire.

The Ri has a rich history of setting stuff on fire in the name of science education, going all the way back to 1848 when Michael Faraday delivered the CHRISTMAS LECTURES on the topic 'the chemical history of a candle'. We happily continue this legacy today, burning gases, food and even the occasional pair of underpants, all in the same of science!

So join the team from our L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre, for an exciting hour in the Faraday Theatre, and learn about why things burn, the fire triangle, chemical chain reactions and more.

This event is particularly suitable for ages 7+.

Event type

This is a theatre only event where the speakers and audience are together in our Theatre.

By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's event terms and conditions. You also agree to abide by our code of conduct, and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants. Please note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

For any queries regarding this event please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

About the speakers

Jemma Naumann is a science communicator, experiment designer and award winning science demo presenter. She is L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre Manager at the Ri. Her day to day role includes presenting engaging science workshops to young people in the L'Orèal Young Scientist Centre, designing interactive science experiments for Royal Institution family events, and performing exciting science demonstrationsOriginally from Adelaide, Australia, she completed a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with a double major in Chemistry in 2013 and achieved a first-class Honours in Organic Chemistry, in 2014, both at the University of Adelaide. From there she travelled to Canberra, in 2015, to study a Master of Science Communication Outreach at The Australian National University. During this time, she was a part of the Shell Questacon Science Circus and travelled around regional and rural Australia performing science shows to schools and the public.

Rachel Harvey (she/her) has spent her whole life in London. After graduating from UCL with a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences (specialising in Chemistry and Physics), she trained as a secondary school Physics teacher before switching to informal science education. She worked in the Explainer unit at the Science Museum in London for nearly five years, facilitating learning in the museum’s interactive galleries and presenting science shows, workshops and storytelling sessions to schools and families. She was then a Physics laboratory technician in secondary schools before joining the Ri as a Lab Tech in the L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre, where she keeps the lab safe and tidy and helps to present workshops to children and young people.

Isla Nakano is a science communicator in the Demonstrations Team at the Ri. Her role involves creating demonstrations, props and engaging experiences for programmes in the organisation. After completing a Bachelor of Science Hons  (Maths and Medicinal Chemistry) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Science Communication (Outreach) from the Australian National University, Isla worked for the National Science and Technology Centre, developing and delivering science shows and workshops for teachers and students. From there, she became the host of a nationally broadcast science TV show, and presented and produced the longest-running kids wildlife TV show in Australia. She is passionate about making science accessible for everyone, through novel, relatable, or surprising experiences.

Katie O'Brien is a scientist, science communicator and avid nature lover. She joined the L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre team in September as a presenter intern. Originally from Kildare, Ireland, she completed her Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Zoology at Trinity College Dublin where she graduated with a first-class honours degree and received two awards for her achievements. From there she studied for a Master of Research (MRes) in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation at Imperial College London, and moved swiftly on to a PhD at the University of Bath. In her PhD, Katie studies how climate change is affecting the ecosystem of Antarctic Penguins using molecular biology. While she is interning at the Royal Institution, she is hoping to learn more about how to present science in an exciting and engaging way, and to encourage young people to take up STEM subjects in school.

Timing

The doors will open at approximately 1.30pm, with a prompt start at 2.00pm.

Latecomers will be admitted into the gallery.

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Accessibility

The event will take place on the first floor and there is step-free access from the street via lift.

The closest underground station is Green Park, which is step-free.

There is space at floor level in the theatre for wheelchair users.

Seating is usually unreserved for our events. If you and your group require seating reservations, please do let us know by emailing us at events@ri.ac.uk, and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Carers can receive a free ticket to an event by emailing events@ri.ac.uk.

Our theatre is equipped with an Audio Induction Loop. 

Event terms and conditions