Natural Disaster Heroes: Empowering Community Recovery

High School Grade Project 5 weeks

Natural Disaster Heroes: Empowering Community Recovery

Mark Hines

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to actively contribute to their community's resilience against natural disasters. Through hands-on activities and collaboration with community partners, students will explore the impact of weather on their environment, design innovative solutions for emergency preparedness, and foster a sense of responsibility and leadership in supporting disaster relief efforts. This project aims to deepen students' understanding of their community's cultural and environmental characteristics while enhancing their ability to collaborate, inquire, and research real-world challenges.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of how weather and natural disasters influence their community and the importance of preparedness. They will enhance their skills in collaboration, inquiry, and research by working with community partners and engaging in hands-on projects. Students will apply their knowledge by designing practical solutions, such as creating a family emergency "go bag" and a scale model of a weather-resistant shelter, and by developing a community guidebook to promote weather preparedness. Through these activities, students will gain insights into cultural and environmental characteristics and learn how to effectively contribute to disaster recovery efforts in their community.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - HS-ESS3-1: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.

Products

Students will create a comprehensive "go bag" for family emergencies, ensuring it includes essential items for safety and survival. They will design and construct a scale model of a weather-resistant community shelter using sustainable materials, applying principles learned from expert workshops. Additionally, students will develop a community weather preparedness guidebook, complete with safety tips, emergency contacts, and local shelter locations. Finally, they will organize and lead a community workshop to teach families how to assemble and maintain their own 'go bags' for emergencies.

Launch

Kick off the project with a dynamic "Weather Wonder Walk" around the school grounds, where students will observe and document weather-related features and their effects on the environment. During the walk, students will use tablets or notebooks to capture images and take notes, fostering inquiry and sparking curiosity about the local climate's impact on their community. Conclude the walk with a group discussion to share observations and brainstorm initial ideas for their community Helping Hands project.

Exhibition

Students will present their projects at a 'Weather Resilience Fair,' where they will showcase interactive booths highlighting their research on weather patterns and preparedness strategies. The fair will feature a 'Weather Warriors Gallery' with student-designed models of weather-resistant structures and art pieces illustrating the community impact of natural disasters. Additionally, a 'Helping Hands Showcase' will allow students to present their community support initiatives, inviting feedback from local disaster relief organizations.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Conduct the 'Weather Wonder Walk' around the school grounds. Students will observe and document weather-related features using tablets or notebooks. They will capture images and take notes on how the weather affects the environment.	Facilitate a group discussion where students share their observations from the walk. Encourage them to brainstorm ideas about how weather impacts the community and what measures can be taken for preparedness.	Introduce the concept of a 'go bag' for emergencies. Discuss essential items that should be included and why they are important. Allow students to research and create a list of items they think should be in a 'go bag'.	Organize a workshop with a local meteorologist who will explain basic weather patterns and how to track daily weather. Students will learn how to record and interpret weather data.	Begin the daily activity of recording and tracking weather data using charts, noting patterns, and discussing any changes or significant findings each day.
Deliverables	1. An individual weather observation journal with notes and images from the 'Weather Wonder Walk'. 2. A class-generated list of essential items for a 'go bag', compiled from student research and discussions.
Preparation	1. Arrange for tablets or notebooks for students to use during the 'Weather Wonder Walk'. 2. Coordinate with the local meteorologist for the guest workshop and ensure they have the necessary materials for their presentation. 3. Prepare weather tracking charts for students to use throughout the project. 4. Gather resources such as books, videos, and articles about weather patterns and emergency preparedness for students to research. 5. Set up a display area in the classroom for students to post their weather observation notes and images.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Organize a visit to a local architecture firm specializing in sustainable design. Students will participate in a workshop to learn about designing weather-resistant structures and sustainable materials.	Facilitate a hands-on building activity where students design and construct a simple model of a weather-resistant shelter using recycled and sustainable materials.	Guide students through a research session using digital resources to explore different types of natural disasters and their impact on communities.	Encourage students to start brainstorming ideas for their community Helping Hands project based on their newfound understanding of natural disasters and community impact.	Continue daily weather tracking and incorporate discussions on how different weather patterns might affect building designs and emergency preparedness.
Deliverables	1. A scale model of a weather-resistant shelter created by each student or group using sustainable materials. 2. A list of potential Helping Hands project ideas generated by student groups, focusing on community support and disaster relief.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the local architecture firm to schedule the workshop and prepare necessary materials for the hands-on building activity. 2. Collect a variety of recycled and sustainable materials for students to use in constructing their shelter models. 3. Prepare digital resources and devices for students to research natural disasters and gather relevant information. 4. Set up a brainstorming station in the classroom where students can jot down their Helping Hands project ideas. 5. Ensure weather tracking charts are up-to-date and facilitate discussions about the implications of weather patterns on building designs.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Conduct a session with a community disaster relief organization representative to discuss the impact of natural disasters and the importance of community preparedness.	Organize a group activity where students develop a draft of their community weather preparedness guidebook, including safety tips and emergency contacts.	Facilitate a design session where students collaborate to finalize their Helping Hands project plan, emphasizing community support and disaster relief.	Guide students in assembling a prototype 'go bag' using items from their researched list, explaining the purpose of each item and its role in emergency situations.	Encourage students to continue daily weather tracking, focusing on identifying any patterns that might influence community preparedness strategies.
Deliverables	1. A draft version of the community weather preparedness guidebook, including sections on safety tips and emergency contacts. 2. A detailed project plan for the Helping Hands initiative, outlining goals, resources needed, and steps for implementation. 3. A prototype 'go bag' assembled by each student or group, with a list explaining the function of the included items.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the community disaster relief organization to schedule the guest session and prepare relevant materials for discussion. 2. Prepare templates and resources to assist students in drafting their community weather preparedness guidebook. 3. Collect materials needed for students to assemble their prototype 'go bags', ensuring a variety of essential items are available. 4. Set up a collaborative workspace where students can work on their Helping Hands project plan and guidebook drafts. 5. Update weather tracking materials and provide guidance on how observed patterns can inform preparedness strategies.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Organize a visit to the local environmental education center. Students will participate in interactive sessions to learn about their community's cultural and environmental characteristics and how these are affected by weather and natural disasters.	Facilitate a collaborative workshop where students refine and finalize the content of their community weather preparedness guidebook, incorporating feedback from community partners.	Lead a hands-on session where students construct the final version of their scale model weather-resistant shelters, applying insights gained from previous workshops and sessions.	Conduct a rehearsal for the upcoming community workshop where students will teach families how to assemble and maintain a 'go bag'. Students will practice their presentations and receive peer feedback.	Continue daily weather tracking and integrate findings into the discussion about how weather shapes the community and the importance of preparedness.
Deliverables	1. A completed and polished version of the community weather preparedness guidebook, ready for distribution. 2. Finished scale model weather-resistant shelters, showcasing the application of sustainable design principles. 3. A prepared and practiced presentation for the community workshop on assembling and maintaining a 'go bag'.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the local environmental education center to arrange the visit and ensure interactive sessions align with project goals. 2. Prepare materials and templates to assist students in finalizing the weather preparedness guidebook, including access to feedback from community partners. 3. Gather additional materials for students to complete their scale model shelters, ensuring availability of sustainable resources. 4. Set up a space for students to rehearse their community workshop presentations and provide guidance on effective communication strategies. 5. Update weather tracking charts and provide a platform for students to integrate their findings into discussions on community impact and preparedness.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Host the 'Weather Resilience Fair', where students set up interactive booths to showcase their research on weather patterns, building designs, and disaster preparedness strategies.	Set up the 'Weather Warriors Gallery' featuring student-made models of weather-resistant buildings and art pieces depicting the impact of natural disasters on the community.	Conduct the 'Helping Hands Showcase' where students present their community support projects and invite local disaster relief organizations to collaborate and provide feedback.	Facilitate a reflection session where students discuss what they learned throughout the project, focusing on collaboration, inquiry, and the impact of their work on the community.
Deliverables	1. Presentation of interactive booths at the 'Weather Resilience Fair'. 2. Display of models and art pieces in the 'Weather Warriors Gallery'. 3. Presentation of community support projects at the 'Helping Hands Showcase'. 4. Completed reflection journal summarizing individual learning experiences and project impact.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with community partners and invite them to attend the 'Weather Resilience Fair' and 'Helping Hands Showcase'. 2. Prepare the venue for the fair and gallery, ensuring spaces are organized for student presentations and displays. 3. Provide guidance and feedback to students as they finalize their presentations and displays. 4. Organize reflection materials and prompts for students to use during the reflection session.