Inadequate Preparation for a Hurricane can lead to massive destruction
Christina Troia
INTRODUCTION
A hurricane is a dangerous storm that brings strong winds, and massive storm surges that can cause major destruction.
In 2012 Hurricane Sandy hit landfall on The Rockaway Peninsula and caused devastating effects on our homes, businesses, and schools. Although you can NEVER be fully prepared for a Natural Disaster, it is important to know the safety procedures in place if another devastating Hurricane is predicted in our area.
You have been chosen by the National Hurricane Center to be a part of their emergency task team to inform residents of Rockaway of the safety procedures in place in case another storm such as Hurricane Sandy would occur.
As a group, your job is to work together to create updated procedures and communicate them to the residents of Rockaway to prepare them if another Hurricane would occur.
Please use the following procedures to complete your project:
The 6 Steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA)
- Define the Problem
- Gather the Evidence
- Identify the Causes
- Evaluate an Existing Policy
- Develop Solutions
- Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness)
PROCESS/RESOURCES
Students will be placed in groups of 4. Each group will hold the role of researchers, scientists, analysts, creators, and Presenters.
DAY 1- Let's Learn about a Hurricane
1. RESEARCH Day 1- Your first task is to watch the following video and review the following websites to learn what a Hurricane is, and how it is predicted. Your finding should be recorded on the worksheet provided below.
Video- What is a Hurricane?
Website 1- https://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm
Website 2- https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/hurricane
Website 3- https://kids.kiddle.co/National_Hurricane_Center
Click here for Worksheet 1
Day 2- SCIENTISTS- Your group will work together to create a hurricane in a jar to visually see what happens during a hurricane. Click the Link Below:
Record your findings. Take pictures!
Day 3- Analysts First begin with some more research. What procedures were in place in the Rockaway area when Hurricane Sandy hit? Hint: You may use some local websites or create a survey for the residents. Next, research current procedures that are recommended by the National Hurricane Center. Create a chart comparing both.
The following website will be helpful to organize your data in a chart. https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing/classic/
Day 4- Creator- As the emergency task team, create a google slide show presentation describing the new procedures put in place when the next Hurricane is predicted.
This presentation must include statistics, and new procedures with explanations.
Day 5- PRESENTATION- Be prepared to present your project to the residents of Rockaway. (your class) Make sure an emergency plan is included.
EVALUATION
Click for the
project rubric https://www.teach-nology.com/cgi-bin/presentation.cgihttps://www.teach-nology.com/cgi-bin/presentation.cgi
CONCLUSION
At the end of this WebQuest, as the emergency task force, you will have successfully developed and informed residents of emergency procedures if another Hurricane would be predicted.
STANDARDS
New Generation Standards
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
STANDARD 6: Conduct research based on focused questions to demonstrate understanding of the subject under investigation.
STANDARD 7: Gather relevant information from multiple sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information in writing while avoiding plagiarism.
New York State Science Standards
3-ESS3-1. Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.* [Clarification Statement: Examples of design solutions to weather-related hazards could include barriers to prevent flooding, wind resistant roofs, and lightning rods.