Students begin by observing that there are more fires now than in previous decades, prompting students to wonder about the best ways to prevent wildfires. They investigate the natural and human causes of wildfires and the solutions humans have to contain wildfires, from hand crews to helicopters. Students investigate how factors like temperature, dry fuels like shrubs and grass, and wind can cause fires to spread quickly, while factors like rain can lower the spread of fire.
Students explore how forests in California have been managed over time, including the cultural practices of Indigenous Californians and prescribed burns. This sparks wondering about California’s ability to use prescribed and cultural burns. Students explore solutions to mitigate wildfires, culminating in an action plan. Resources and guidance are provided for teachers to help students manage emotions around wildfires, as well as how to engage indigenous experts about fire in California.
“WOW! What incredible and engaging lessons to do with my students. They loved this opportunity to be scientists, explore and think about the food they eat, and I loved the ways that they began to model. I am so excited about these lessons and cannot wait to share them with my coworkers.”
“I truly enjoyed teaching this. It has been heartwarming to see them care about other living things and the environment.”
“The message that there are solutions to help us combat climate change and that people are working together to solve problems helped students stay in a place of curiosity; they didn’t show anxiety over the content.”
“Students were curious and continue to be curious. They are more aware of their surroundings than before and continue to point out observations daily.”
“This lesson brought in cultural stories from the original people who inhabited California. This is a perspective that is not often taught in science. I think that the kids liked having science be a little less facts and figures and more story.”
“I heard comments like, ‘I didn’t realize how much climate change affects my community,’ and, ‘This project made me think about what I can do to help.'”
“Students really enjoyed the hands-on activity. They were very interested to learn about the different pollutants that they’ve never heard of. It also developed their curiosity about air quality and pollution. It was an eye-opener for some that they are able to see what is mostly ‘unseen’ by everyone.”
“I have learned ways to improve my teaching, and I have been at this for 38 years. The students are gaining a deeper understanding of what climate change is: what causes climate change, and the impact of climate change on crop yield.”
“I am so amazed and impressed by the depth of resources that you embedded in the teacher guide. This is really well put together.”
“The kids become more engaged because now they are actually actively doing things. They’re really having to look for themselves. It’s not given to them on a platter, but all the resources are right there.”
“Every lesson was so thoroughly designed, the case study design book was beautifully organized, and it helped to give my class a real-life understanding of how college/graduate-level academic research works. Being able to connect their research back to environmental issues they actually experience was simply icing on the cake. Well done!”
“When you’re out in the workforce, you’re trying to solve problems that don’t have a clear, immediate answer. So doing stuff like this helps give students practice.”
Melissa Campanella, University of Colorado Boulder
DeAnna Lee Rivers, STEMSoul TEACH
Kerri Wingert, Good Question Research
Wayne Wright, Science Educator
Dina Gilio-Whitaker, California State University, San Marcos
Aja Conrad, Karuk Department of Natural Resources
Clarissa Deverel-Rico, BSCS
Matt Ellinger, Designer
Darin Newton, Curriculum Developer
Ron Reed, Cultural Biologist at Karuk Tribe
Grant Coffin, Indian Diggings ESD
Kathy Ham, Los Angeles USD
Denise Hardoy, San Lucas School District
Maggen Haverland, Laguna Beach USD
Jasmine Heffner, New Heights Charter School
Bethany Lourie, Berkeley USD
Maria Nunez, West Contra Costa USD
Abby Paske, Berkeley USD
Mita Ponce, Los Angeles USD
Kerry Santia, Petaluma City Schools
Marco Serrano, Los Angeles USD
Kelly Vallianos, Los Angeles USD
Miguel Yaptinchay, New Heights Charter School
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