The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched a free trivia-based app called Sparky’s® Brain Busters, a revamped Sparky Schoolhouse website, and a video that looks at the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

For 3rd to  5th graders

In the new quiz app, Sparky the Fire Dog® challenges players to a game of wits! Spin the wheel to answer trivia questions in five categories: science, math, social studies, fire safety and Sparky's Choice. Race the clock to see who can get the most questions right before the time runs out. Earn character badges for brain-busting prowess. Multi-player mode allows groups to play against each other to see who can answer the most questions correctly in the allotted time period or in turn-based competition. Classroom mode allows teachers to utilize the app in the classroom to review essential Common Core topics. The app, which is geared towards 3^rd through 5^th graders, also has a classroom feature, which allows teachers to use the trivia game as an instructional tool and includes ideas for how to incorporate the app into lesson plans.

“With so many families on the go, we recognize that children are increasingly turning to smart phones and digital platforms for educational and entertaining content,” said Amy Lebeau, NFPA’s senior project manager for Public Education. “We are excited to add Sparky’s Brain Busters app to our growing collection of fire safety apps for kids.”

Resources for teachers

Sparkyschoolhouse.org, NFPA’s educator portal, has also gotten a new look. The redesigned site features fire-safety apps, educational and music videos, printables, and lesson plans. Teachers can now search content by grade levels to ensure age-appropriate fire safety messaging. The new “Digital Backpack” page allows educators to easily share materials through social media.

A new video series for grades 3-5, Lessons from History, features Casey Grant, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, and Lauren Tarshis, bestselling author of the “I Survived” series. Watch as they talk about the Great Chicago Fire and how the terrible events in 1871 have helped us build safer cities, schools, and homes. Educators can pair the video with NFPA’s Great Chicago Fire lesson plan to create a seamless, effective unit that blends fire-safety learning with literature. The video can be found on sparkyschoolhouse.org, YouTube, and SchoolTube.

Sparky’s Brain Busters is available for free on the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.