Project Firestorm is a cross-discipline program, incorporating elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in its structure, plus arts when it comes to the presentation of ideas.
Project Firestorm is an excellent tool for exploring themes such as 'resilience', 'social justice', 'equity', 'caring for the community' and the broad principles of being a responsible and active citizen.
Project Firestorm presents an opportunity to discuss the importance of fire to Aboriginal people, including the protection of fauna and flora, help with acquiring food and medicine, and its use in traditional ceremonies.
The breadth of resources available to students involved in Project Firestorm helps teach the discipline of thinking beyond Google when faced with Key Enquiry Questions such as those posed in the program.
The Rural Fire Service is an excellent example for your pupils of how working in hazardous environments has to be carefully regulated to ensure the health and safety of both the workers and those they encounter in their work.
Guide to Making a Bush Fire Survival Plan
Whilst a plan should already be in place, coming up with one themselves gives students the opportunity to think beyond their own homes to how a large, complicated organisation has to plan for and react to a natural disaster.
These resources are related to Project Firestorm activities.
Bush Fire Impact Research (PDF)
This lesson encourages students to use research techniques to explore the impact of bush fires from a variety of perspectives, for Level 1 of Project Firestorm.
Empathy map template and guide (PDF)
This information will help students create an empathy map in Level 1 of Project Firestorm, to explore and empathise with the feelings of bush fire survivors.
Determining a problem (PDF)
This worksheet will help students identify a problem or challenge when completing Level 2 of Project Firestorm.
Using a 5 Whys Strategy (PDF)
This lesson introduces a technique that can be used to cut through assumptions to identify a core problem at Level 2 of Project Firestorm.
In addition to those activities detailed in Levels 1 to 5 of Project Firestorm, you may wish to delve deeper into this subject area with these additional activities and lessons:
Fire Danger Ratings Lesson plans (PDF)
These two lessons support NSW students to identify and apply the new fire danger ratings. The Lesson Plans include a downloadable Fire Danger Rating Poster and a Fire Danger Rating Community Action Puzzle.
Fire Danger Ratings Poster (PDF)
Fire Danger Ratings Community Action Puzzle (PDF)
The puzzle activity provides an additional opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the recommended actions for each fire danger rating.
Visual Arts Inspired by Fire (PDF)
This lesson offers students the opportunity to explore events, shapes, movement, colours and patterns of fire as inspiration to create artworks, whilst building empathy.
English: Poetry Inspired by Fire (PDF)
This lesson offers students the opportunity to create poetry inspired by either preparing for bush fires, responding to them, or recovering in the aftermath.
Mathematics: Extreme Evacuation (PDF)
This worksheet shows students how to use statistics, mapping tools and informed assumptions to create an evacuation plan for a NSW suburb.
Mathematics: Angle of Fire Attack (PDF)
This worksheet allows students to explore the relationship between fire, wind speed, inclines and declines.