Secondary School Resources
Students undertaking school research projects from year 7 – 12 now have the opportunity to collect information on fire, fire behaviour, fire safety, weather, fuel as well as firefighting techniques and equipment.
Temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, atmospheric stability and rainfall are significant factors which will influence the way fires behave. They have a direct impact on the fire's ability to spread and consequently play a crucial role in defining the ease or otherwise of the fire suppression task.
Basic fire science still holds true in that fuel type, arrangement and quantity together with topography, fuel moisture content, (FMC), and weather all play significant roles in pine forest fires. Pine forests in NSW are mostly in plantations. Even aged forests present different problems for fire fighters and land managers, through the various stages of the forest's development.
FireScience is a program resource developed for teachers in years 7-12, comprising Stage 4 (Years 7 – 8), Stage 5 (Years 9 – 10) and Stage 6 (Years 11 – 12) to develop students understanding of the nature and behaviour of fire.
Based on the NSW Board of Studies Science Syllabus, this program develops student’s knowledge, understanding and skills to explain and make sense of the biological, physical and technological world, enabling them to make informed decisions as individuals and part of the community. Students will learn about the meaning, purpose and dangers of fire and the importance of fire safety.
Fire Science Workbook 1 Subjects include air and gases, matter, material science, acids and gases, fire and the human body plus weathering and erosion.
Fire Science Workbook 2 Subjects include motion, communication, energy and heat, electricity, weather and the environment.
These resources can be downloaded here.
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