Mount Saint Augustine volcano

Seconds from Disaster

A volcano is about to erupt! What should you do? Work with experts from the British Geological Survey to take on the roles of scientists, authorities and members of the public and decide whether to evacuate or not.

  • Suitable for Levels 3 & 4 (S1-3)
  • Monday 7 – Thursday 10 November
  • Monday 27 February – Thursday 1 March
  • 10:15 / 12:45 (2hrs)

What will my pupils do in the workshop?

Background to disaster

  • As a class, find out about the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat and the Merapi Volcano, Java.
  • Hear from a scientist from BGS, and a member of the public about their experience of the volcano.
  • Discuss risk, hazard and vulnerability.
  • Handle rocks and lava from Soufriere Hills.

Role play

  • Students become either:
  • Scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
  • Members of the Volcanic Executive Group
  • Members of the public in the Citizens’ Action Group

Each person is allocated the resources that would have been available to them before the eruption.

Work in teams to decide:

  • Will the volcano erupt? If so, how dangerous will it be?
  • Should and evacuation be ordered, and of what area? What are the consequences of this decision?
  • Would you stay at home, if your house were in the exclusion zone?

Report back to rest of class.

The reality

  • Students will discover what really happened when the Soufriere Hills Volcano erupted.
  • Discuss lessons learnt for future eruptions elsewhere

This workshop can be complimented by a visit to our Natural World galleries.

Curriculum areas and key learning outcomes

Social Studies

 

People, place and environment

I can describe the physical processes of a natural disaster and discuss its impact on people and the landscape.

SOC2-07b

 

To extend my mental map and sense of place, I can interpret information from different types of maps and am beginning to locate key features within Scotland, UK, Europe or the wider world.

SOC2-14a

People, society, economy and business

I can use evidence selectively to research current social, political or economic issues.

SOC2-15a
Sciences

 

Topical Science

Through research and discussion I have an appreciation of the contribution that individuals are making to scientific discovery and invention and the impact this has madde on society.

SCN2-20a

 

I can report and comment on current scientific news items to develop my knowledge and understanding of topical science.

SCN2-20b
Mathematics

 

Data and Analysis

Having discussed the variety of ways and range of media used to present data, I can interpret and draw conclusions from the information displayed, recognising that the presentation may be misleading.

MNU2-20a

 

I have carried out investigations and surveys, devising and using a variety of methods to gather information and have worked with others to collate, organise and communicate the results in an appropriate way.

MNU2-20b

Ideas of chance and uncertainty

I can conduct simple experiments involving chance and communicate my predictions and findings using the vocabulary of probability.

MNU2-22a
Literacy and English

 

Reading

 

Finding and using information

Using what I know about the features of different types of texts, I can find, select and sort information from a variety of sources and use this for different purposes.

LIT2-14a

Understanding, analysing and evaluating

To help me develop an informed view, I can identify and explain the difference between fact and opinion, recognise when I am being influenced, and have assessed how useful and believable my sources are.

LIT2-18a

National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130