A Fire Inside - How Did Climate Change Contribute to the Australian Bushfires?

Australian curriculum content descriptions:

Years 8 Science:

• Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available (ACSHE134)
• Communicate ideas, findings and evidence-based solutions to problems using scientific language, and representations, using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS148)

Syllabus outcomes: SC49-WS, SC415-LW

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability, Literacy, Personal and Social Capability

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability

Relevant parts of Year 8 Science achievement standards: Students use appropriate language and representations to communicate science ideas, methods and findings in a range of text types

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: A Fire Inside: Feature Documentary Years 7 to 10

Time required: 120 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion and prompt students to make connections between A Fire Inside and how bushfires are caused

• A device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Powerpoint presentation: A Fire Inside: How did climate change contribute to the Bushfires
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Community engagement
• Communication
• Empathy
• Global citizenship
• Problem solving      

Before teaching the lessons, ensure you have watched the feature documentary ‘A Fire Inside’, rated MA15+ and have gained approval from parents and guardians before viewing the documentary. 

To view the film you can rent or purchase an online copy from Google Play, Apple TV, Prime Video, or Ritz at home.
Students may develop heightened emotions and discomfort during the film whilst learning about the psychological effects and impact the fires had on animals, people, families, communities, and the country. It is recommended that you direct students to a school counsellor if they require additional support and read through the Handling Sensitive Topics and Issues: Handling Sensitive Topics and Issues.

About the feature documentary - A Fire Inside:
When a volunteer firefighter drives his car to almost certain death, he does it during the worst fires in Australian history because he ‘has a job to do’. Three months later, the fires are out, but his fight is just beginning.

Turning a sensitive lens on the unprecedented devastation of Australia’s 2019/2020 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires; from a country-wide emergency to the astonishing stories of help that emerged, A Fire Inside presents an inspirational look at how people respond to crisis and the impact it has on the human spirit.