Lighting the path: The FireWorks education program builds fire literate futures

The FireWorks Educational Program introduces students and educators to the science of wildland fire through hands on, interactive learning. Designed for kindergarten through 12th grade, the program blends engaging classroom lessons with real-world materials—everything from lab tools to fire scarred wood cookies—so learners can explore how fire behaves, how plants and animals adapt, and how fire shapes different ecosystems. Specialized versions of the curriculum are available for regions across the country and even internationally, helping teachers connect fire science to the landscapes their students know best. While not required, educator workshops prepare teachers, outdoor educators, and community leaders to confidently bring fire science into their classrooms and communities. 

First developed in 2000 and later updated by Forest Service ecologists at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, FireWorks has become an essential resource for educators because it makes fire science accessible, relatable, and fun. Over recent years, FireWorks has expanded well beyond its original geography, with educator workshops held in several regions of the United States as well as in Mexico and Peru. Since those workshops, the program has continued to thrive—new learners are hosting their own workshops, and strengthening a growing international community of fire‑literate educators and students. 

Thousands of students use the program each year, gaining a clearer understanding of wildfire and its role in the environment–knowledge that is increasingly important as many communities experience more fire. Teachers report that FireWorks helps spark curiosity and strengthen science skills, while the hands on lessons provide memorable experiences for students. The FireWorks program is helping create a generation of learners who understand fire not just as a threat, but as a natural process that can be managed responsibly. Perhaps, today's learners will become tomorrow's fire managers.

Photo Credit

Valle Sagrado Verde

FireWorks workshop participants learning about ladder fuels during the Tinker Trees activity. Tinker trees was one of many activities taught during the workshop hosted by Valle Sagrado Verde in Peru.