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Hands-on Education in Fire Science PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Jane Kapler Smith, Ecologist, FEIS Lead Scientist, Jo Ellen Force1 , Tamara M. Parkinson2 , Linda R. Thomas3 , and James A. Walsh 4 Partners: Clearwater National Forest, Forest Service Northern Region, The University of Idaho, The University of Montana 1 Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2 Boise National Forest, Boise, ID
3 University of Montana, College of Technology
4 University of Montana (emeritus) INTRODUCTION Two research projects investigated effectiveness of hands-on learning techniques for increasing understanding of wildland fire and changing attitudes about fire and fuel management.  OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
Assess effectiveness of hands-on learning activities from the FireWorks program in helping student and adult learners increase understanding of fire behavior, fire ecology, and fire management KEY RESULTS Student learners: After using FireWorks activities in science classes for 2 to 3 weeks, 7th grade students in western Montana demonstrated more knowledge about wildland fire than did students in comparison groups. Students using FireWorks were also more engaged in learning than students in comparison classrooms and rated their teachers as more innovative, creative, and interested in student input. Teachers in FireWorks classrooms were less likely to interrupt teaching to reprimand students than were teachers in comparison classrooms.  Adult learners: Evening workshops for the adult public featured experiential learning activities from the FireWorks curriculum. Participants' knowledge increased from pre-test to post-test, and attitudes and beliefs became more supportive of fire management. These changes were still evident a month after the workshops. PUBLICATIONS Student Learners:
Thomas, Linda R.; Walsh, James A.; Smith, Jane Kapler. 2000. Behavioral and Cognitive Evaluation of FireWorks Education Trunk. In: Smith, H. Y., ed. The Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project--what we have learned: symposium proceedings; 1999 May 18-20; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-17. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 71-73. Adult Learners:
Parkinson, Tamara M.; Force, Jo Ellen; Smith, Jane Kapler. 2003. Hands-on learning: its effectiveness in teaching the public about wildland fire. Journal of Forestry. 101(7):21-26. FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project, Northern and Intermountain Regions.  FireWorks is developed and maintained by the Fire Modeling Institute Information Team.
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