Wildfires are becoming more common and recurring. In Catalonia, the abandonment of rural areas and the drought conditions in forests caused by climate change have made fires more intense and severe. Given this reality, it is essential to share the knowledge we have about forest fires with the population, especially young people, so that they are prepared and have the tools to better understand the current situation and rethink the economic and social model in which we live. Raising awareness and empowering young people not only increases their capacity for action but also turns them into agents of change within their communities, thus contributing to better collective preparedness and generating a positive emotional impact both for themselves and for the entire community.
This service-learning project, aimed at third-year secondary school students, aims to raise awareness and encourage community action on forest fires. By applying the learning acquired through an experience in a forested area near the school, students perform community service in collaboration with local entities (chosen among them) to evaluate the effects of fires or to promote environmental care as a prevention tool. The project is a total of at least 10 hours. The project was carried out with the support of the Department of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition of the Government of Catalonia, during the years 2023-2025.
Objetives
- Understand the current landscape situation and the status of forest fires and climate change.
- Understand the concept of self-protection concerning wildfires.
- Propose proposals and strategies to adapt the landscape and society to forest fires and climate change.
- Provide a service to raise awareness among the local population about the issue or influence forest fire prevention and self-protection at the local level.
- Break the gap between young people and local entities, especially those related to landscape management and wildfires.
Methodology
Service-learning is an educational methodology that combines the acquisition of knowledge and skills with active participation in community service projects. Students engage in practical activities that respond to real community needs, thus creating a connection between the school and the community. This methodology fosters critical reflection, teamwork, and civic responsibility, as students apply the knowledge learned in class to contribute to the common good. Following the Service-learning methodology, the project can also be worked on as a term project for a course.
The project’s structure
Resources
Designed for students participating in the project’s learning situation, this Field Guide provides essential technical knowledge so that, once in the forest area near the school, students will be able to collect data and objectively assess whether that area is prepared to withstand a wildfire.
The Guide has been designed to encourage small-group work, foster student autonomy, and allow for targeted teacher support. It includes six sections: initial situation, forest inventory, forest fire, mosaic landscape and local products, self-protection, and community awareness.
We offer online training aimed primarily at teaching staff interested in addressing the topic of forest fires and landscape management through this educational project.
The objective is to provide the necessary technical knowledge so that teachers can support and guide students throughout the project. The training lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes various educational resources.
This learning situation document is aimed at third-year secondary school teachers to address major wildfires and landscape management from an educational and competency-based perspective. Specific competencies are defined, activities are presented, and clear assessment criteria are proposed. The document is flexible and adaptable to the needs of each school and class group. Several community service options are offered.
Communication of results
Communication of results is an essential part of the project. Offering students a space to share what they have learned and contributed allows them to become aware of their active role in preventing Large Forest Fires.
This communication of results can be done in different formats: oral presentations by groups, as at the Institut Mig-Món in Súria, or articles in the center’s magazine, as at the Institut Pere Vives in Igualada. We suggest to open this day to other classes and entities in the territory, to give visibility to the project and listen to the voice of young people. In addition, a certificate of participation in template format is made available to recognise the effort of the students, validated by both the center and the collaborating entities.
Pilot tests
During the design and creation process for the educational resources, three pilot projects were conducted in different high schools in Catalonia. These experiences were instrumental in testing and improving the materials, taking into account feedback from students, teaching staff, and the collaborating entities involved. The pilot projects were carried out at the following high schools:
Join us
If you are an organisation, school, or institute interested in participating in this project or collaborating, we invite you to fill out this form. Once completed, you will appear on the collaborative map located below, which will allow you to view the network of educational centers and organisations involved. This will facilitate contact and coordination between those centers and organisations with a common interest in collaborating on the project. You can also contact us at info@paucostafoundation.org with any questions or concerns.
Map of entities, schools and institutes participating in the project
Many thanks to all the people, schools, and organizations that collaborated and made this project possible!
Aquest projecte d’Aprenentage i Servei ha estat desenvolupat gràcies al suport del Departament de Territori, Habitatge i Transició Ecològica de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
