RISE Challenge Colorado: Resources

RISE Challenge Colorado Resources

Here you will find RISE Challenge Colorado resources for getting started. We have organized the resources in three categories: Essential RISE Challenge Documents, Recommended Timeline, and Natural Hazard Education Resources. If you have trouble accessing any of these documents or require additional support, please contact Justin Zakoren.

Have any questions about getting started, finding curriculum resources, planning next steps? Stop by our RISE Challenge Spring Open Office Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. All are welcome!

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Essential RISE Challenge Documents

1. RISE Challenge Registration Form
2. RISE Challenge Summit Registration & Proposal Submission Form
3. Project Implementation Support Request
4. RISE Challenge Written Proposal Judging Rubric
5. RISE Challenge Proposal Writing Guide
6. Photo Release Form 

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Example RISE Challenge Project Timeline*

Summer

1. Attend an optional Earth Force Professional Development workshop
2. Develop a classroom implementation plan

August – December

1. Work with students to identify environmental hazards in your community
2. Choose and research key issues
3. Connect with experts to discover root causes
4. Decide on one issue to explore
5. Take advantage of ongoing Earth Force Professional Development opportunities

January – April

1. Decide on a project to address the chosen issue
2. Develop proposal for action
3. Take advantage of ongoing Earth Force Professional Development opportunities
4. Submit your project proposal any time before March 12, 2021

May

1. Start implementation of action project
2. Attend the RISE Challenge Colorado Summit (May 6, 2021) to present your project
3. Celebrate!

*Actual project development time varies depending on learning scenario (e.g., number of instruction days per week, length of class, teacher experience and practices, community support). On average, RISE Challenge projects take 20 – 30 days through entire Process. 

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Natural Hazard Education Resources

RISE Challenge Educator Resources

• RISE Challenge Student Workbook
• Slide Template for Student Proposals
• RISE Challenge Written Project Proposal Examples
• Guide: Colorado Community Natural Hazard Mitigation Issues & Opportunities
• Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards (FEMA, 2013)
• Earth Force Flood/Stormwater Inventory Guide for Students
• Community Expert Contact Guide

Curriculum Links

• Earth Force Step-By-Step Resources (All Grades)
• HEART Force Natural Hazard Curriculum (MS/HS)
• UCAR Flash Floods Teaching Box (MS/HS)
• EPA Stormwater Management Lesson Plans for Grades 3-12
• Teach Engineering Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tornadoes & More (ES)
• Welcome to Ready Kids! (ES/MS)

Videos

• Introduction to the RISE Challenge (52:33 minutes)
  • An introductory information session, offering an overview of the RISE Challenge and helpful resources for educators interested in learning more about this opportunity. Presented by Justin Zakoren, Earth Force Program Manager, December 16, 2020
• RISE Teachers Share Out! (1 hour, 5 minutes)
  • A roundtable discussion with veteran RISE Challenge teachers sharing their approaches to natural hazard resilience projects, December 2, 2020
• Community Flood Mitigation with the City of Fort Collins (60 minutes)
  • Recorded presentation with Floodplain Administrator, Marsha Hilmes-Robinson, November 11, 2020
• Estes Park Middle School Firewise USA Project Video (4:22 minutes)

Maps For Understanding Natural Hazard Risk

• Natural Hazard Index for US Counties
• US Wildfire reports
• Colorado Forest Atlas
• Flood Factor
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• Future Avoided Cost Explorer: Colorado Hazards

Articles

• National Flood Insurance Program: Community Rating System (FEMA, 2018)
• Fort Collins Flood Management Program: Success Stories from the September 2013 Flood
• Urban Flood Hazards: Challenges and Opportunities (ASFPM, 2020)