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UL Xplorlabs™ Unveils Fire Forensics Investigation to the Classroom

October 24, 2017

Interactive,STEM-based module for middle school teachers aligns with Next Generation Science Standards

NORTHBROOK, Ill., (October 24, 2017) – UL, a global safety science organization, introduces the newest module to UL Xplorlabs™, Fire Forensics: Claims and Evidence. The second innovative module to be added to the UL Xplorlabs™ learning platform takes students up close and personal with the science of fire and the role of fire investigation. Through this interactive module, students learn to read a fire scene, build a claim for the fire’s location of origin and cause, and gain an understanding of fire, fire dynamics and fire behavior.

“Our goal is to put science and engineering in the hands of students and provide educators an easy-to-use, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned, free resource that can be incorporated into middle school science, engineering, math and technology curricula,” said Cara Gizzi, UL’s Vice President, Education & Outreach. “Xplorlab modules encourage inspired thinkers to find extreme solutions for today’s engineering challenges. Fire Forensics: Claims and Evidence will open students eyes to the vast science behind Fire Investigation and Fire Protection Engineering.”

In the module, students work alongside fire research engineers as a fire investigator-in-training, to learn how claims, evidence and reasoning play into an investigation. Their skills are put to the test when they conduct their own independent investigation into the origin and cause of a fire, utlizing a dynamic, 360⁰ view of a kitchen burn scene.

As in Module 1, Portable Electrical Power – Fire Forensics: Claims and Evidence elements are also aligned with NGSS and incorporate active participation and integrate hands-on experiences. Fire Forensics:Claims and Evidence goes a step further by challenging students to compare their independent investigation results with those of their peers from around the world.

“The module was created with flexibility in mind so it can be used in a variety of educational settings and by students with all types of learning styles,” said Gizzi. “It is essential for students to have the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and solve real-world problems through active participation and hands on learning.”

UL Xplorlabs™ was created to take science outside the classroom and put it in the hands of a new generation of problem solvers and help them to solve through science. The first learning module, Portable Electrical Power, explores the science of lithium-ion batteries and the products that depend on them.

To find out more about this free, high-quality educational resource, visit ULXplorlabs.org or follow @ULXplorlabs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About UL
UL fosters safe living and working conditions for people everywhere through the application of science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. The UL Mark engenders trust enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. We test, inspect, audit, certify, validate, verify, advise and train and we support these efforts with software solutions for safety and sustainability. To learn more about us, visit UL.com.

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