Schools in Fire Country is an innovative, participatory bushfire education program that is enabling place-based teaching and learning in upper primary school classrooms in Victoria. This webinar was held on 26 March 2024.
Panel:
- Neil Munro, Project Lead – Bushfire Education, Safer Together / Country Fire Authority
- Dr Briony Towers, Chief Investigator - Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction / Founder and Co-Director, Leadrrr
- Leigh Johnson, Principal, Harkaway Primary School
- Caragh Robinson, Manager of Capability and Response, Security and Emergency Management Division, Department of Education, Victoria
- Scott Purdon, Teacher, Chewton Primary School
- Dr Blythe McLennan, Node Research Manager, Natural Hazards Research Australia (host)
Research highlights that when children have access to quality bushfire education they can make valuable contributions to bushfire risk management in their households, schools and communities. However, translating that research into effective school-based programs that are both scalable and sustainable has presented a complex challenge for the bushfire risk management and education sectors.
To address this challenge, the Schools in Fire Country project brought together Victorian emergency management agencies, researchers, educators and other subject matter experts, with primary school students to synthesise the existing research base and bring it to life in a practical way. Together they built partnerships and tapped into the existing knowledge and experience of school communities, local fire brigades and other valued partners.
The webinar featured members of the program development team and attendees learnt how they translated research into practice using collaborative, iterative, student-centred design processes.
Learn more about Schools in Fire Country and its award winning collaboration with Harkaway Primary School or watch the video below.