A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado | CEEE

A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Students build an understanding of wildfire in Colorado using multiple data sources in a jigsaw format.  Context for Use This lesson is best used as part of the HEART Force curricular unit. Potential lessons to follow include: Hourglass Lake Fire Challenge OR  HEART Force Wildfire Resilience Game HEART Force Pathways to Resilience Action Projects This lesson could also be a stand-alone lesson to introduce students to wildfire in Colorado. Wildfire burns through the Black Forest area near Colorado Springs, 2013. Photo Credit: https://vimeo.com/84393594 Program Hazard Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force Resource Type Lesson Topics Climate and Weather Climate Change Colorado-Based Community Resilience & Climate Action Community-focused Natural Hazards Middle School Instructional Time 135 minutes NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea(s) ESS3B: Natural Hazards ESS3C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems Published Date August 1, 2019 Funding Information A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Funding Information × NOAA award number NA18SEC0080007 funded as part of the NOAA Environmental Literacy Program. Close Goals Header What Students Will Do Analyze wildfire data to identify patterns of wildfire history and risk in Colorado.   Communicate information about the causes and effects of wildfires in your community. Explain what community members should do to be safe in the event of a wildfire Teaching Materials User note: To make an editable copy of the teaching materials in Google Drive, select File > "Make a copy". This will make a copy for you to save to your own drive and edit as you see fit. Lesson Materials - A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Lesson Materials Teacher Guide - A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Teacher Guide Lesson Slides - A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Lesson Slides Student Worksheet - A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Student Worksheet Student Worksheet Key - A Changing Climate: Understanding Wildfire in Colorado Student Worksheet Key Description In this lesson, students will investigate wildfires in Colorado by analyzing wildfire data and information to create a local news story to educate community members about wildfire risk.  Part 1 – Engage (20 minutes) Introduction to Wildfire Concepts and Case Study As a class, watch a short documentary about wildfires in Colorado and have a brief whole group discussion about the video. Part 2 – Explore (50 minutes) Wildfire Data Analysis Jigsaw In small groups, analyze wildfire information and data to build understanding of the causes, impacts, locations, and frequency of wildfires. Part 3 – Explain (65 minutes) Community Wildfire Risk and Response In small groups, create a local news story for your (or another) community to share information about wildfire causes and impacts, and how people prepare for, respond to, and rebound from wildfires.       Similar Resources A Changing Climate: Understanding Drought in Colorado Middle School Lesson A Changing Climate: Understanding Floods in Colorado Middle School Lesson