Although sparklers only have a low driving force, they can set a rotor in motion: Their flying sparks generate a recoil. The prerequisite for this is that the sparks fly mainly in one direction. Tim Königl (17) and Dennis Zisselsberger (17) from near Lörrach used a high-speed camera to prove that this is precisely the case. They then built such a sparkler rotor, took measurements and analyzed the processes. However, as attractive as the spark drive is visually, it is not suitable as a concept for practical use, as the young researchers were able to prove. The reason: the energy yield of the process is very poor and the fireworks are over after just 26 seconds anyway. It was certainly enough for 2nd prize in the physics category at Jugend forscht 2015.