Understanding and Preparing for Natural Disasters
Created byLynn Parker
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Understanding and Preparing for Natural Disasters

Grade 6EnglishMathScience10 days
In this engaging project for 6th graders, students design a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan for Las Vegas, Nevada, focusing on the mitigation of natural disaster impacts. The project incorporates research, data analysis, and community-focused strategies to enhance safety and resilience against regional hazards. Students utilize VR technology for immersive simulations, create hazard maps, develop personal survival kits, and apply statistical skills to analyze disaster trends. Collaboration and effective communication are emphasized, fostering innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
Natural DisastersEmergency PreparednessCommunity SafetyData AnalysisInnovative SolutionsCollaborationLas Vegas
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design an innovative community emergency preparedness plan for Las Vegas, Nevada, to address and mitigate the effects of natural disasters while ensuring the safety and resilience of its residents?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are natural disasters?
  • How do natural disasters affect the communities people live in?
  • How do communities prepare for natural disasters?
  • How do people come together to serve and help during these disasters?
  • In Las Vegas and Nevada, how can we learn to prepare for natural disasters specific to this region?
  • How can you be personally prepared for an emergency?
  • What do you need to be prepared for an emergency?
  • How can we keep our communities safe in the face of natural hazards?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the types and characteristics of natural disasters and their impact on communities.
  • Evaluate how communities, especially in Las Vegas, prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
  • Research and design an emergency preparedness plan tailored to the specific needs of Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Develop personal and community strategies for safety and resilience in the face of natural hazards.
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively to develop innovative solutions for emergency preparedness.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.8
Primary
Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.Reason: Students will need to research and evaluate various sources of information about natural disasters and emergency preparedness.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.5
Supporting
Summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context, such as by giving quantitative measures of center (median and/or mean) and variability (interquartile range and/or mean absolute deviation), as well as describing any overall pattern and any striking deviations from the overall pattern with reference to the context in which the data were gathered.Reason: Students will analyze statistical data related to natural disasters to understand their frequency and impact.

Next Generation Science Standards

MS-ESS3-2
Primary
Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.Reason: The project involves understanding natural hazards affecting Las Vegas and devising strategies to mitigate their effects through preparedness plans.
MS-ESS3-3
Secondary
Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment.Reason: Students will design solutions for emergency preparedness and minimizing impact during natural disasters, focusing on environmental considerations.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Virtual Reality Disaster Simulation

Utilize VR technology to immerse students in a simulated experience of a natural disaster occurring in Nevada. This visceral encounter will trigger curiosity about emergency management, community safety measures, and personal preparedness, encouraging students to explore local geographical risks and emergency response strategies.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Las Vegas Hazard Mapping

Students will map local natural disaster risks specific to Las Vegas, examining historical data to predict and visualize future risks. This forms the basis for creating a region-specific preparedness plan.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research historical data on natural disasters in Las Vegas and surrounding areas.
2. Use mapping software or tools to visually represent the risk of these natural disasters occurring again.
3. Present hazard maps to the class, highlighting areas of highest risk and discussing potential preparedness measures.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityHazard maps showing localized natural disaster risk in Las Vegas.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with MS-ESS3-2 by analyzing and interpreting data to forecast and prepare for future catastrophic events.
Activity 2

Emergency Preparedness Kit Builder

Students will design and compile an emergency preparedness kit suitable for an individual or family in Las Vegas, considering local hazards. This practical activity highlights individual preparedness as part of wider community safety.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research items essential for survival during or after a disaster, especially those pertinent to local conditions in Las Vegas.
2. Create a checklist categorized by necessity (e.g., food, water, first aid, tools).
3. Assemble a model kit using the checklist and present to the class with justification for each item's inclusion.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA model emergency preparedness kit with an accompanying checklist and class presentation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with MS-ESS3-3 by applying scientific principles to design methods of reducing human impact during emergencies.
Activity 3

Statistical Analysis of Disaster Data

Students will analyze statistical data related to the frequency and impact of natural disasters to understand trends and patterns. This activity builds analytical skills necessary for evaluating community preparedness strategies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Collect statistical data on the frequency and impact of various natural disasters from sources like government databases and scientific publications.
2. Use statistical methods to summarize data, focusing on measures like mean, median, interquartile range, and deviations from the norm.
3. Discuss findings in groups, relating patterns to the context of Las Vegas and its specific disaster vulnerabilities.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityStatistical summaries and visual graphs depicting disaster frequencies and impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.5 by summarizing and analyzing numerical data sets in relation to natural disasters.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Natural Disaster Preparedness and Impact Analysis Rubric

Category 1

Research and Analysis

Assesses student ability to research historical data, analyze statistical patterns, and interpret risk maps regarding natural disasters.
Criterion 1

Historical Data Research

Evaluates student's effectiveness in researching and compiling relevant historical data on natural disasters in Las Vegas.

Exemplary
4 Points

Thoroughly researches historical data with exemplary depth and breadth, citing reliable sources and making insightful connections to potential risks in Las Vegas.

Proficient
3 Points

Competently researches and compiles relevant historical data from reliable sources, making clear connections to potential risks.

Developing
2 Points

Gathers basic historical data, but connections to potential risks are limited or unclear.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays minimal effort in gathering historical data, with little to no connection to potential risks.

Criterion 2

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Assesses student's ability to analyze statistical and historical data to forecast natural disaster risks and impacts.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates outstanding ability in analyzing and interpreting data, providing detailed predictions and insightful risk assessments.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively analyzes and interprets data, providing clear and accurate predictions for disaster risk assessments.

Developing
2 Points

Analyzes data with partial accuracy and provides basic predictions, but lacks depth and detail.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates limited ability in data analysis and prediction, needing significant improvement.

Category 2

Innovation and Design

Evaluates student creativity and application of scientific principles in designing emergency preparedness solutions.
Criterion 1

Emergency Preparedness Kit Design

Measures the student's creativity and practicality in the design and presentation of an emergency kit.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs an innovative and highly practical emergency kit, justifying each item with exceptional relevance to Las Vegas conditions.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates a well-thought-out emergency kit with appropriate relevance to local conditions and clear item justification.

Developing
2 Points

Designs a basic emergency kit with relevant items but limited explanation or justification.

Beginning
1 Points

Develops an incomplete or impractical emergency kit with little to no relevance to local conditions.

Category 3

Collaboration and Communication

Assesses student ability to work effectively in groups and communicate findings to a broader audience efficiently.
Criterion 1

Group Discussion Contribution

Evaluates the quality and impact of student contributions during group discussions and presentations.

Exemplary
4 Points

Consistently leads and significantly contributes to group discussions with insightful, well-articulated ideas and solutions.

Proficient
3 Points

Actively participates in discussions, offering well-reasoned ideas and constructive contributions.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in discussions but offers ideas that are basic or occasionally unfocused.

Beginning
1 Points

Contributes minimally to discussions, often requiring prompts or assistance.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of natural disasters and their impact on communities has evolved through this project. What surprised you the most about the information you discovered?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about your personal preparedness for an emergency after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which aspect of designing a community emergency preparedness plan did you find most challenging?

Text
Optional
Question 4

In your opinion, what is the most important thing you learned about community safety during natural disasters?

Text
Required
Question 5

How well do you think your emergency preparedness kit would serve you in a real disaster scenario? Please provide reasons for your rating.

Scale
Required
Question 6

What role do you see yourself playing in your community's preparedness efforts, and why?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Leader in organizing community resources
Member supporting emergency drills
Communications coordinator during emergencies
Volunteer aiding affected families
Other