Fired Up Over Math: Studying Wildfires From Space

Provided by: NASA |Published on: November 20, 2023

Lesson Plans

3-12

Scientist Reviewed

Synopsis

In this lesson, students will explore fire progression maps for various wildfires in California's history, the Sand Fire's burn scar, and the difficulties firefighters faced during the King Fire.
Students will complete a worksheet that develops their critical thinking skills and interactive media that allows them to consider a "bird's-eye" view of an area.

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Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics

Authors: NASA

Region: North America, USA - West, United States, California

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The worksheet is well-organized and easy to follow, and its difficulty increases so that teachers of elementary or middle grades can easily remove questions that aren't appropriate for their grade level.
This lesson includes many NASA videos that teachers can use for extension purposes.

Additional Prerequisites

For high school students, Google Earth is necessary for this lesson.
It may be helpful if students know the term burn scar.
The fourth paragraph in the background section introduces many otherwise unfamiliar terms and may benefit students to read before starting the lesson.
Some links embedded in the background text and under the extension section don't work but aren't necessary for understanding the subject matter.

Differentiation

Older students can use the worksheet for a research project on the devastating nature of wildfires and how proper forest management can mitigate this destruction.
Teachers can use this lesson as a conceptual introduction to natural hazards exacerbated by climate change.
This lesson can support a classroom discussion on the social, economic, and health impacts of wildfires.
Only high school students should be required to complete the entire worksheet.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format

Scientist Reviewed

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Fired Up Over Math: Studying Wildfires From Space

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources