Description
Working with students so they accurately assess their risk
of natural disasters, understand the nature of media coverage
of these events, and develop an emergency preparedness plan
can help them reframe the problem and reduce their stress.
In this activity, students determine which types of natural
disasters are most likely to strike their area. They then
conduct interviews and do research on those natural disasters.
They also discuss the geologic and geographic factors that
make a particular place more or less at risk for a given
natural disaster. Students explore the effect that pervasive
news coverage of natural disasters (those that occur locally,
as well as those striking outside the community) does to
stress levels of people who read, watch, or listen to the
reports. Finally, students research and report what individuals
and families can do to prepare for natural disasters most
common to their area.
Relevant Standards
This activity fulfills science
and health education standards.
Objectives
Students will:
- Research a variety of natural disasters and determine
those most likely to affect their community
- Research through the Internet and community interviews
natural disasters that have affected their community and
record their findings
- Research the geologic and geographic factors that make
a particular place more or less at risk for a given natural
disaster and record their findings
- Discuss the effect of news coverage of natural disasters
on stress levels and how to evaluate such coverage
- Research and discuss emergency preparedness measures
BAM! Body and Mind Resources:
- News
You Can Use — Gives students tips for de-stressing
and getting useful news.
- Tsunami
— Students learn what tsunamis are, how they can
affect the health of people directly in their path, and
general emergency preparedness information.
- Stress-O-Meter
Quiz — Quiz that gives students their personal
stress profile.
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