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- Every March 31
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National Bunsen Burner Day ignites curiosity every March 31, honoring the iconic laboratory tool and its inventor, Robert Bunsen. This day celebrates the fundamental role the Bunsen burner plays in scientific education and research worldwide. Spark your inner scientist by exploring experiments, learning about its history, or supporting STEM initiatives.
Want to sponsor National Bunsen Burner Day? Learn how
Expected National Bunsen Burner Day Deals
While specific 2027 promotions are still under wraps, history shows that retailers specializing in scientific equipment and educational supplies often feature discounts. Look for deals from brands like Fisher Scientific, Carolina Biological Supply Company, and VWR International on lab glassware, safety equipment, and, of course, Bunsen burners. Educational platforms such as KiwiCo and Mel Science may offer promotions on science kits. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 31 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Bunsen Burner Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #BunsenBurnerDay. Share quick, safe science experiments or historical facts about the Bunsen burner.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBunsenBurnerDay. Post visually appealing lab setups, historical photos, or creative science-themed art.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #BunsenBurnerDay. Share fascinating scientific facts, trivia, or polls related to laboratory tools and discoveries.
National Bunsen Burner Day Hero
Robert Bunsen
History of National Bunsen Burner Day
Robert Bunsen was born in Germany in 1811. His father was the chief librarian and professor of modern philology at the University of Göttingen where Bunsen later embarked on his undergraduate degree at the age of 17. He showed his aptitude for innovation early on and, within just two years, he had completed his Ph.D. and was offered a job there.
Bunsen enjoyed a significant breakthrough at the young age of 22 when he discovered the antidote to arsenic poisoning. But the invention he is best known for today, the Bunsen burner, became his pursuit in 1852 when he took a job at the University of Heidelberg, where he was promised a new laboratory for his work and teaching.
The building’s designers intended to use gas throughout for lighting as well as the laboratory burners. But gas burners were problematic due to the heat of the flame, as well as their simplicity. So whilst the builders got to work on Bunsen’s new lab, Bunsen himself also got to work designing a way to make gas burners more effective for laboratory use. He developed a gas-burning apparatus that would give different types of flame depending on the airflow, using Isaac Newton’s principle of light refraction to give four flames of different colors and intensities.Â
When the building opened in 1855, Bunsen had created 50 of his burners and, in 1857, he published a description of them so that his colleagues could adopt the design. Despite its success, he never patented the idea, as he believed that science should be for the benefit of all and not the profit of one. His design grew in popularity and is still used around the world today in schools and professional laboratories, hence the reason we celebrate National Bunsen Burner Day.
National Bunsen Burner Day timeline
Isaac Newton conducts experiments of bending white light through a prism to split its colors.
Robert Bunsen is born in Germany — the youngest of four sons to the University of Göttingen's chief librarian and professor of modern philology.
Robert Bunsen is promised a new laboratory by his employers at the University of Heidelberg and desires to make improvements to the existing facilities.
Robert Bunsen develops the new apparatus and makes prototypes with the help of the University of Heidelberg’s mechanic, Peter Desaga.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Bunsen Burner Day
Local businesses, particularly those in education, scientific supply, or even craft stores, can celebrate National Bunsen Burner Day. Educational institutions can host open lab days or science fairs, showcasing experiments that utilize the burner safely. Science supply stores can offer discounts on lab equipment or host workshops on basic chemistry principles. Even coffee shops could offer ‘Bunsen Brews’ or science-themed treats to spark conversation around STEM.
National Bunsen Burner Day FAQs
When is National Bunsen Burner Day?
In 2027, National Bunsen Burner Day will be observed on Wednesday, March 31. It’s a day dedicated to appreciating the foundational role this simple yet powerful instrument plays in scientific discovery and education.
How many students use Bunsen burners?
Across the United States, an estimated 15 million high school students take science courses each year, with many engaging in experiments involving Bunsen burners. This exposure helps foster an understanding of basic laboratory techniques and safety.
What are Bunsen burners used for?
From heating chemical solutions and sterilizing equipment to performing flame tests for element identification, Bunsen burners are fundamental tools. Their controlled flame allows for precise temperature adjustments, crucial for many experimental procedures.
Who invented the Bunsen burner?
Robert Bunsen is credited with the design that made the burner practical and widely adopted. His innovation significantly improved laboratory safety and efficiency, cementing the Bunsen burner’s place as an indispensable scientific instrument for over a century.
National Bunsen Burner Day Activities
Refract Light At Home
Recreate Newton’s refraction experiment at home by putting a small mirror into a glass of water and placing it in bright sunlight to make a rainbow.
Feast on German Food
Tuck into some of the delicacies that Robert Bunsen would have enjoyed in his lifetime, like sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and sauerbraten (roast beef stew).
Invent something yourself
Honor this incredible invention by designing your own problem-solving device. Maybe you’ll leave a legacy like Robert Bunsen, too!
5 Facts About Robert Bunsen That Are Lit
He made a life-saving discovery
When working at the University of Göttingen at the age of 22, Bunsen discovered the antidote to arsenic poisoning and, 9 years later, his discovery saved his own life when an arsenic compound exploded in his face.
He helps you change the channel
In 1841, Bunsen invented the zinc-carbon cell, making batteries more affordable by replacing the expensive platinum of former designs with cheap carbon — these are the same batteries that still power most household gadgets like TV remotes and children’s toys.
He makes your photos brighter
In 1864, Bunsen and his research student Henry Enfield Roscoe used the bright light emitted from burning magnesium to illuminate photographs being taken in low light, thereby inventing flash photography.
He climbed into a volcano
In 1846 Bunsen traveled to Iceland to study volcanic activity — he carried out his tests and observations by climbing into the crater of a volcano, developing work that led to a greater understanding of the science behind geysers.
He was a fast-paced academic
Bunsen began his undergraduate degree at the University of Göttingen in Germany at the age of 17 but, just two years later, he had achieved his Ph.D. in chemistry for his work on a humidity meter.
Why We Love National Bunsen Burner Day
We love staying safe!
Bunsen burners make scientific experiments so much safer than they might otherwise have been, so we don’t get injured in the name of progress.
It’s about experimentation
National Bunsen Burner Day reminds us what a big impact even the simplest of ideas can have.
It keeps us curious
We use Bunsen burners to find out more about how things work, but you don’t need one to do this — just a curious mind!
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