In Kate’s Middle School Science B class, students discussed warning signs of natural disasters, how to prepare for them, and the injustices that exist in disaster response. Each day, they examined real-world data, including FEMA’s National Risk Index maps, to understand Seattle’s risk levels for different types of natural disasters. They also investigated which specific buildings and neighborhoods face heightened vulnerability, such as older unreinforced masonry structures.
Throughout the lesson, the class explored the systemic failures of the Hurricane Katrina response. Kate used this example to help students understand that natural disasters do not impact all communities equally.
To wrap up the unit, students began creating personal emergency plans for an earthquake. They focused on memorizing emergency and family phone numbers, identifying nearby places they can go for help, and recognizing potential hazards along their routes to and from school.