Wildfire Simulation

Wildfire Simulation
https://wildfire.concord.org/

The Concord Consortium

This is a wildfire simulation with three different zones (plains, mountains, and foothills). The user can change variables to see what happens when they spark a fire.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

See how this Simulation/Interactive supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

MS-ESS3.B1: Mapping the history of natural hazards in a region, combined with an understanding of related geologic forces can help forecast the locations and likelihoods of future events.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 2

Systems and System Models, Patterns

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Science and Engineering Practices: 4

Developing and Using Models, Analyzing and Interpreting Data

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Developing and Using Models, Analyzing and Interpreting Data

MS-P2.4: Develop and/or revise a model to show the relationships among variables, including those that are not observable but predict observable phenomena.

MS-P2.5: Develop and/or use a model to predict and/or describe phenomena.

MS-P2.7: Develop and/or use a model to generate data to test ideas about phenomena in natural or designed systems, including those representing inputs and outputs, and those at unobservable scales.

MS-P4.4: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for phenomena.

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High School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

HS-ESS3.B1: Natural hazards and other geologic events have shaped the course of human history; [they] have significantly altered the sizes of human populations and have driven human migrations.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

Patterns, Systems and System Models

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Patterns, Systems and System Models

HS-C1.4: Mathematical representations are needed to identify some patterns

HS-C4.3: Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales.

HS-C4.4: Models can be used to predict the behavior of a system, but these predictions have limited precision and reliability due to the assumptions and approximations inherent in models.

Science and Engineering Practices: 3

Developing and Using Models, Analyzing and Interpreting Data

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Developing and Using Models, Analyzing and Interpreting Data

HS-P2.3: Develop, revise, and/or use a model based on evidence to illustrate and/or predict the relationships between systems or between components of a system

HS-P2.6: Develop and/or use a model (including mathematical and computational) to generate data to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems.

HS-P4.1: Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models (e.g., computational, mathematical) in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.

Climate Literacy

This Simulation/Interactive builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Climate change has consequences

Energy Literacy

This Simulation/Interactive builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Biological processes depend on energy flow

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

Teachers will need to familiarize themselves with the use of this resource before presenting to the class.
The instructor will need to find background content and contextual information and provide it to the students for a deeper learning experience.
Students will need support in using the simulation and understanding the importance or effects of the variables.

About the Content

This visualization uses a creative way to show wildfire and its interactions with terrain, drought, weather, and mitigation efforts.
The wind simulation may be oversimplified but still provides a good simulation.
It does not show how the data is generated or where the information is sourced, which would benefit the user.
Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

This is a really immersive and user-driven interactive simulation, with student-controlled variables.
There is no real teacher guidance that shows how to use the simulation, so teachers will need to prepare their own guidance for students.

Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN

https://concord.org/blog/field-testers-needed-for-innovative-wildfire-curriculum/
https://concord.org/newsletter/2020-winter/exploring-the-spread-of-wildfires-and-interpreting-their-risks/
https://concord.org/blog/field-testers-needed-for-innovative-wildfire-curriculum/

Entered the Collection: November 2021 Last Reviewed: July 2021

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Middle School (see details)

Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

Cross Cutting Concepts: 2

Science and Engineering Practices: 4

High School (see details)

High School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

Science and Engineering Practices: 3

Grade Level

Online Readiness

Topics

Climate Literacy

Energy Literacy

Teaching Tips

About the Content

About the Pedagogy

Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN

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