Physics of Fire
Striker Cotton Ball Fire
Fires have captivated humankind since the beginning of time and provided warmth, heat, light, and entertainment throughout the ages. The Cottonwood Institute has created a one-day course called the Physics of Fire for schools and community organizations to explore fire from a scientific and survival perspective.
During this course, students will participate in an interactive survival scenario, learn about survival priorities, tips, strategies, and techniques, learn about the physics of fire, how to build ecologically responsible survival fires, practice primitive and modern fire making techniques, and learn how to make a personal survival kit with at least three methods of making fire. We will also look at fire ecology, the importance of fires in certain ecosystems, and the controversy of managing wildfires from a stakeholder perspective. This day will be action packed, so get ready to gain a new appreciation for fire.
After completing this course, you will:
- Understand the physics of fire, including: fire triangle, oxidization, ignition, and combustion.
- Learn how to build and break down an ecologically responsible survival fire.
- Practice primitive and modern fire methods, including: 1-match fires, striker and cotton ball fires, and friction fire.
- Understand fire ecology, the importance of fires in certain ecosystems, and the controversy of managing fires from a stakeholder perspective.
To coordinate an Physics of Fire course for your school or community organization, please contact Ford Church at 303.447.1076 for a custom proposal.
