Brief Overview

Students from Polly Gonzalez High School worked with the local fire department to investigate how wildfires ignite, spread, and affect their community. With wildfire risks increasing due to dry summers, strong winds, and growing neighborhoods near open land, they wanted to learn the science directly from those who confront fires. Their goal was to use scientific understanding to help make the community safer. Throughout the year, they modeled fire behavior, gathered local data, and collaborated with firefighters and scientists, blending curiosity with environmental and civic responsibility.