Begin the lesson by discussing the inevitability of natural hazards and the importance of reducing their impacts. Use real-world examples to engage students.
Go to the LessonLesson Plans
Reducing Natural Hazard Impacts
Learning Objectives
- Understand that while natural hazards cannot be eliminated, their impacts can be reduced through engineering and design.
- Identify how buildings in earthquake-prone areas are designed to withstand shaking and reduce damage.
- Explain how special structures like the swinging weight in Taipei 101 help buildings remain stable during earthquakes.
- Describe the use of strong materials in the construction of homes in hurricane and tornado-prone areas to resist strong winds.
- Recognize the role of floodways, levees, and sandbags in diverting floodwater and reducing flood impacts.
Introduction and Hook
Introduce the concept of engineering and design solutions that help mitigate the effects of natural hazards.
Direct Instruction
Explain how buildings in earthquake-prone areas are designed to withstand shaking, using examples like the Taipei 101 skyscraper.
Discuss the use of strong materials in construction to resist strong winds in hurricane and tornado-prone areas.
Guided Exploration
Watch the 'Lighthouse Lab – Tornadoes' video to understand tornado formation and the importance of weather forecasting.
Explore how floodways, levees, and sandbags are used to divert floodwater and reduce flood impacts.
Hands-On Activity
Engage students in building models of earthquake-resistant structures using simple materials to test their designs.
Conduct an experiment to simulate the impact of strong winds on different building materials.
Independent Practice
Assign students to research and present on a specific natural hazard and the engineering solutions used to mitigate its impact.
Check for Understanding
Use the 'Withstanding an Earthquake!' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of earthquake-resistant building designs.
Review and Reflection
Have students reflect on how engineering and design can help communities prepare for and reduce the impacts of natural hazards.
Assessment and Extension
Test comprehension with the 'Rapid Changes to the Earth’s Surface' assessment, focusing on natural hazards and their effects.
Try the Quiz
Encourage students to explore further by researching additional engineering solutions for other natural hazards.
