Wildfire Risk and Impact

The Concord Consortium

This highly engaging course is comprised of five modules. Each one clearly explains the concept using readings and videos. Students are presented with the current fire and climate data and then run simulations. Students read graphs based on the data they collect in their simulations and then answer comprehension questions and make predictions.

Click to View

Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

While the activity does a good job of having constant assessments to keep students engaged, it can be a challenge to maintain student engagement with web-based activities. Teachers may want to consider spreading out these modules over a longer time and use them in between lectures or other activities so students could approach this topic from many angles. This resource includes background on teaching with online materials. It is necessary to spend time tinkering with the Wildfire Explorer before students engage with it.
This is a series of web-based modules that are easy to follow and can be completed by students individually. Students will use their understanding of wildfires and climate change to run animated simulations and make predictions about how wildfires will impact communities in the future. This is a scientifically rigorous and up-to-date activity that includes an incredible spatial model of how fire propagates so that students can actually participate in the decision-making process surrounding containing wildfires. The broader aim of this activity is to help students understand the variables that influence fire spread rate and intensity, the risks that wildfire brings to people and their communities, and the impacts of climate change. All of the data is available within the module, and up-to-date background materials are included throughout as well. The listed references are of high quality. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
The lessons work well together to lead students to an understanding of how climate change is impacting wildfires. Each one focuses on the many variables that impact the prevalence and intensity of wildfires in various land terrains. This activity trains students in developing and using models, engaging in arguments from evidence, and analyzing/interpreting data. Students explore real-world data, run simulations manipulating the variables, analyze the data they generate, and make predictions for the future. For each module, there are dozens of questions peppered throughout to keep students engaged. This lesson is appropriate for a wide range of grade levels and includes clearly stated learning outcomes for each set of grade levels. Many learning modalities are used and students will be highly engaged in creating the simulations and interpreting the data they generate from graphs. There is also a teacher edition of the modules to give instructors helpful guides on presenting some of the materials and concepts. The interactive model might pose some learning challenges for non-tech-savvy students.
Students would need a computer with internet to complete these modules, but all data and information are self-contained within the module. This is a well organized and scaffolded activity. Theory and background are provided as teacher resources (topics include teaching with online materials, teaching uncertainty and risk, etc). This would not require a lot of prep time for instructors. This program is easy to set up and run, student data is easy to collect and analyze, and it is visibly dramatic through the simulations that they run independently. Students and teachers will need to register and log in to the site to access the lessons and activities.