Xplorlabs: Fire Forensics Pathway Inspires Teens Interested in Firefighting

Earlier this summer, the Office of Research Experiences & Education (OREE) joined South Fulton Fire Rescue for firefighting camp in the Atlanta, Georgia, region aimed at providing teenage girls an immersive experience into the world of fire service.

Camp E.M.B.E.R.S. is designed for girls ages 14-18. The camp includes training and mentorship from female firefighters and other local public safety personnel, building awareness of public safety careers, and educating campers on safety through public safety campaigns like the Fire Safety Research Institute’s (FSRI) Close Before You Doze campaign.

Girls participating in the camp leave with enhanced knowledge of public service careers and the systems and structures designed to keep them safe in their communities. The camp also highlights the important contributions of women in the fire service, creating an environment that encourages campers to be curious about and inspired by female firefighting. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 10% of firefighters in South Fulton identify as female compared to the national average of 4%.

As part of the weeklong camp, Senior Education Specialist with OREE, Megan O’Keeffe, led campers through interactive fire forensics experiments using Xplorlabs: The Science of Fire Forensics, including hands-on investigations on the fire triangle and heat transfer. After the table-top experiments, students observed a doll house burn demonstrated by Fulton County Fire Personnel, allowing them to see fire dynamics in action.

Several campers described their Xplorlabs learnings as the highlight of their week at Camp E.M.B.E.R.S.

“Megan was amazing! The interactive experiments were so much fun, and I learned a lot about how fires start and the science behind them. I feel more confident about fire."

Check out Xplorlabs: The Science of Fire Forensics.