The Economics of First Nations Fire Management

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

• critical thinking
• collaboration
• intercultural understanding
• problem-solving
• prototyping

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description: 

Economics and Business Year 10

• Develop and evaluate a response to an economic and business issue, using cost-benefit analysis or criteria to decide on a course of action (AC9HE10S04)

Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards: By the end of Year 10, students develop an evidence-based response to an economic and business issue. When researching, students develop questions and formulate hypotheses to frame an investigation of an economic or business issue or event. They gather and analyse reliable data and information from different sources to identify trends, explain relationships and make predictions. Students generate alternative responses to an issue, taking into account multiple perspectives. They use cost-benefit analysis and appropriate criteria to propose and justify a course of action. 

NSW Syllabus outcomes: COM5-4, COM5-5, COM5-7, AST5-7

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding, Literacy, Numeracy

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Sustainability

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - Teachers will need to facilitate class discussions and activities, and ensure students have prior knowledge of how to conduct a cost-benefit analysis.

Goal 8 | Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

• Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead.

• Devices for students to access online resources
• Cost-Benefit-Analysis Template
• What is Cultural Burning? Factsheet
• Student Worksheet
• Whiteboard
• Whiteboard markers

Minderoo Foundation's Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative aims to reduce the harm caused to communities and the environment by fire and flood. It harnesses the collective power of communities, industry, government, philanthropy, and the research sector to lift Australia to be the global leader in fire and flood resilience by 2025. For more information, see Minderoo Foundation’s website.

We would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude for the expertise and advice provided in the creation process of these resources from the following parties.

The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) 

Bhiamie Williamson (Monash University)

Teach Indigenous Land Management Using Fire - Secondary

Quick Summary: This course will help you learn about how John Daly uses fire stick techniques to care for Country. John works with scientists and farmers to reduce the impact of bushfires and protect communities.