A new partnership between Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One (GHFMO) and Peninsula School District (PSD) is bringing firefighters into middle school science classrooms, connecting textbook concepts to real-world applications.

The collaboration began when GHFMO's public education specialist reached out to Goodman Middle School. After training provided by UL's Institute for Research Experiences and Education (IREE), firefighters and teachers were ready to bring what they had learned into classrooms. GHFMO firefighters visited all eighth grade science classes at Goodman Middle School during the month of December to facilitate hands-on investigations into heat transfer, covering conduction, convection, and radiation.

“While students worked through the lab, the firefighters added their own field experience, reinforced safety during the procedures, and connected each type of heat transfer to real situations they encounter on calls,” said Science teacher Melissa Guttormsen. “Students were completely dialed in—they were asking thoughtful questions, loved having the firefighters in the room, and were genuinely excited to learn from them.”

Division Chief Tom Wescott explained that the curriculum incorporates important safety messages from UL research, such as lithium battery safety and fire sprinkler importance, while also introducing young people to the fire service as a career.

“The firefighters found it rewarding to watch the students grasp the concepts of thermodynamics,” said Wescott. “They enjoyed getting to share information about the fire service and bridge the connection to fire science.”

The firefighters shared career pathways and real-world examples from the field. The partnership uses the Xplorlabs curriculum, specifically the Science of Fire Forensics Pathway, with plans to expand to other PSD middle schools.

“This partnership has filled some instructional gaps in our current curriculum while bringing in authentic Next Generation Science Standards-aligned, career-connected learning, and we're thrilled about it,” said Guttormsen.

GHFMO has partnered with PSD at elementary and high school levels for years, and this middle school collaboration represents an exciting expansion of their educational outreach.

“The energy and support we received from the staff and teachers at Goodman Middle School was incredible,” said Fire Chief Dennis Doan.