Wildfires: Impact of Climate Change

Nature Lab Education Resources, The Nature Conservancy

This activity provides opportunities for students to embed themselves in the process of science as they follow the efforts of the scientist collecting field data. Although data is not provided with this activity, students analyze an array of current readings and videos about the topic of wildfires. References are provided for those seeking extensions to learning about the impact of wildfires on ecosystems.

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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.

Educators intending on using this activity should read through all the materials to make decisions on how best to implement it in their classrooms, and ensure that students have access to all the materials they need to complete the activity. All students should find the story to be compelling given the enthusiasm of the young researchers highlighted in the movie. It would be helpful to have teaching aides handy to support students who are unaware of the geography and wildfire hazards centered around the Northwest USA and Canada. This resource is relatively long and has multiple opportunities for extension or can be broken up into smaller pieces if the educator chooses. To make this activity more interactive and reflection based, consider implementing a journaling activity with instruction. Consider assigning the research activity as homework if students do not have access to a computer during class time.
This resource from The Nature Conservancy Nature Lab includes a virtual field-trip on wildfires and alpine plant research in the northwestern mountains of the United States, an associated worksheet and research activity with articles from reputable organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and The World Health Organization, and a class presentation. Students will learn core concepts like fire dynamics, managed resilience, adaptation, and climate change. Students will also be encouraged to reflect on the real-world experience of performing environmental and climate science. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards are available for both middle and high school curricula. This resource includes a student worksheet and teaching guide with suggested times for each activity, embedded video links, and an answer key. This resource supports student understanding through videos, discussions, independent research activities, and presentations. This resource will engage a variety of different learning styles. This activity includes a set of lesson-level objectives and daily objectives, and though there is not a complete match between the two, the lesson-level objectives are obtainable if the activity is completed in its entirety. The lesson is quite passive as students are gathering notes from videos and readings, however, the selected materials are compelling and well sequenced to guide the learning to meet the lesson-level objectives. The teaching guide is comprehensive and inclusive of ideas to support all learners.
All embedded links to videos and articles were working at the time of review and are accessible with internet access. This activity is self-contained, meaning that all the materials are within the activity itself, including links to the videos and readings. Educators are advised to review the entire lesson to ensure they are prepared to implement as intended.