Saturday, April 11, 2015

Tech Review: Smokey Bear Website & App

The SMOKEY BEAR website and app provide information about how you can prevent wildfires.
Sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Ad Council, the website is divided into four major sections.
The WILDFIRES! area provides information about wildfire prevention, wildfire science, and fighting wildfires. These short, fact-rich pages would be effective for informational reading experiences for children. Video clips and images add to the experience. Keep track of current wildfires with the real-time wildfire map. The website also encourages users to take the “Get Your Smokey On” pledge.
The SMOKEY’S JOURNEY section provides a timeline of Smokey’s history teaching people about reducing human-caused wildfires. Users can explore posters, memorabilia, radio and television segments from the 1940s through the 2010s.
In the SMOKEY KIDS area, youth can explore Smokey’s cabin to discover facts, activities, games, and other information.
The last section features TEACHING RESOURCES for grades K-2 and 6-8. Materials include downloadable, standards aligned lessons, mini-books, and activities. Additional links are provided for more ideas and resources.
To extend the experience, explore the social media elements at Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, and Instagram.
A Smokey Bear App is available for the mobile web, Android, and iOS. The app includes a campfire safety guide and social media links.
For more information, go to the website at http://smokeybear.com/.