About FIFE

Teaching about Fire’s Role in Nature

Over the last 15 years Florida has experienced some of our most active wildfire seasons on record. When educators gain a better understanding of fire ecology, prescribed fire, and ways to prevent wildfires, they share this information with Florida citizens of all ages. FIFE gives educators the background knowledge, skills, and materials they need to teach about fire in Florida.

Free Materials

The interdisciplinary curriculum contains 13 hands-on activities for students in grades 3-12. Activities include reading passages and assessment questions to improve and measure comprehension. Posters, videos, teaching PowerPoints, background information, and clear instructions help educators teach about fire even if they are new to the topic. All activities are correlated to the Sunshine State Standards and include FCAT preparation questions.

Free Interactive Training Workshops

Fun, interactive training workshops are offered free throughout Florida. In each workshop, educators participate in activities from the curriculum, visit an area managed with prescribed fire, meet and learn from a Florida Division of Forestry representative, and get in-depth information about fire’s natural role in Florida.

Inservice and continuing education credits are available to classroom teachers.

For Educators of All Types

FIFE can be taught indoors or outdoors in classrooms, nature centers, museum and science centers, and camps. Workshops and materials are free for educators of all types: teachers, nature center or park staff, home school parents, Scout and 4-H leaders, camp counselors, and anyone else that wants to teach about fire.

Proven Results

Since 1999, FIFE has reached over 2,700 educators in more than 90% of Florida counties.  Pre- and post-workshop surveys continue to show statistically significant improvements in educator knowledge and attitudes about fire ecology topics.  View the 2007 Final Report