I want to make some cupcakes for the foutmrth of July. I really want to try to use pop rocks in some way, to represent fireworks. Would they still pop if I were to bake them into the cupcake, or do you think that would be a no go?

what a great idea and question -- i know I've seen something like that done on cupcake wars on tv but I have no idea but I googled and voila

https://www.google.com/search?q=pop+rocks+candy+cupcake+recipe&oq=pop+rocks+in+a+cupcake&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l2.12868j0j4&client=tablet-unknown&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

I would think the heat from the oven would melt the sugar in the candy. I DO know you can put them in the melted chocolate when molding candy and lollypops. So, you can put the Pop Rocks in the candy coating, but I don't think they will survive the oven.

That's what I was thinking would happen.

How about sprinkling them over the frosting?

in that link betty crocker baked hers

I think the Pop Rocks in the batter will make the cupcakes like fun-fetti cake and add only color spots. Looking at the pics of the cake w/candy, they look melted into the batter. I would be surprised if they popped. I think It's the raw Pop Rocks that would actually have the popping action.  So, my recommendation is to put them in the icing and filling.

As soon as PopRocks touch moisture they pop. So they will react to batter, filling, and even the moisture in the air. 

You can bake the cupcakes, core and fill with PopRocks. Or frost and sprinkle with PopRocks. Either way they need to be served within a couple hours.