Ecologists from the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab met with teachers from the Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) and specialists from the Plumas National Forest in Quincy, California to develop FireWorks curricula for the Sierra Nevada. FireWorks uses hands-on activities to teach about the physical science of wildland fire, fire ecology, fire history, and people’s relationship with fire. FFS Ecologist Jane Kapler Smith, Cooperator Ilana Abrahamson, and Contractor Caitlyn Berkowitz each taught several activities from the FireWorks curriculum.
FireWorks has been used extensively in the northern Rocky Mountains and interest in the curricula is widespread. While many lessons are applicable anywhere that wildfires burn, many lessons are appropriate to particular regions. Lessons about individual species, ecology, and fire history are adapted to specific regions. Jane, Ilana, and Caitlyn are collaborating with professionals from the PUSD and Plumas National Forest to develop innovative FireWorks curricula for the Sierra Nevada and Plumas National Forests.