Rationale

**Rationale ** // "They can start with a momentary flicker, they can burn for months, and their effects can scar landscapes and lives for years." // This unit has been devised in response to the 'Black Saturday' tragedy that devastated Victoria in February 2009. Even though this issue is current, the unit remains relevant and applicable to future students. Despite the fact that bushfires have been a major part of Australian history, understanding and acceptance of such events remains difficult. Considered a natural hazard, bushfires play a complex role in our society with the capacity to devastate and threaten entire communities around the continent. We consider this unit appropriate for Level 4 students due to the fact they are at an age whereby their level of emotional reasoning and intellectual maturity is capable of comprehending the many complexities associated with bushfires. People as well as the natural environment have developed a range of ways of coping with bushfires. Research attempts to determine not only how to prevent bushfires, but also how to gain further insight into their devastating effects. This unit includes investigation into a range of important aspects associated with bushfires; these include: the affect repeated fires have on local communities, the impact on our environment, native plants and animals and additional dangers brought about by climate change and drought. (http://www.science.org.au/nova/103/103key.htm)