Students start by diving deeper into natural hazards that significantly impact humans (severe storms, blizzards, landslides, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, forest fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis). Then, they differentiate between predictable and unpredictable hazards, analyze recent tornado location data and choose one natural hazard to learn more about. Finally, students design two structures to test on the earthquake shaker and answer the question, “How can I build a structure to better withstand earthquakes?”

Students analyze actual earthquake data; use hot water, paper, cardboard and food dye to model convection currents; and compare earthquake depths along a subduction zone. Then, they choose one active geoscience location and describe the processes occurring there. Finally, students create a travel brochure to an active volcano or rift valley!

Students measure their personal water use, research where their local water comes from and build their own model of the water cycle in this mini unit. Then, they work through evaporation and condensation labs and investigate the effects of adding energy to ice cubes. Finally, students create a portable water filtering system for muddy water!