News Story
Schools tackle burning issues
13 May 2008
Fire has a major impact upon people living in northern Australia, as well as the region’s biodiversity.
The new interactive multimedia module, Burning Issues provides an absorbing learning environment where Middle Years students and teachers can explore the complex issues surrounding bush fire.
The module immerses students into our Top End savannas as they explore some of the key issues of burning for land management in northern Australia in order to develop an effective public awareness campaign for a target audience. Student learning outcomes focus on scientific literacy, information literacy, critical thinking and appropriate technologies and literacy.
Department of Employment, Education and Training Education Officer, Louise Fogg said, “Burning Issues focuses on the need for well-informed decisions about planning and fire management to ensure lives are protected and healthy ecosystems and biodiversity are conserved.
“It highlights the need for a collaborative approach involving traditional owners, volunteers, council members, regional bushfire committees and researchers to help protect life, property and the environment in northern Australia from the effects of wildfire and ensure a sustainable future for all.”
The module includes research from Northern Territory scientists and contributions from educators and Aboriginal people.
Burning Issues has been developed as part of an ongoing collaborative project between the Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training and the Tropical Savannas CRC in partnership with Bushfires NT.
Burning Issues is available on the internet at www.environorth.org.au and a CD version will be sent to all Northern Territory schools.
Burning Issues is the second in a series of four online learning modules focusing on key sustainability issues in northern Australia. The final two modules, still to be developed, will focus on: cattle and caring for country.
Savanna Walkabout, which was launched in 2007, is now widely used across Australia and internationally. More than 30% of visitors to EnviroNorth site log on from other countries around the world, with the largest percentage of international visitors from the United States.
To view the Ministerial Media release you will be leaving the Department of Employment, Education and Training’s website.