In this recorded professional learning session, Lyn Rogers and guest Aliki Weststrate from GNS Science explore some of the science involved in building our understandings of natural hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and lahars. They introduce some readily available resources and activities and delve into some of the exciting research happening in this field in New Zealand. They discuss how engaging students in ‘real’ science stories can support them in developing their own skills for science inquiry.
Great from a geography perspective! Thanks
Teacher
This content connects easily to other learning across the curriculum and can be adapted to any level.
You may find it easier to download the video and PowerPoint presentation.
Index
| Topic | PowerPoint slide number(s) | Video timecode |
| Introducing the Science Learning Hub and presenters | 1 | 00:00 |
| Index | 2–3 | 00:12 |
| Webinar purpose | 4 | 00:42 |
| Curriculum connections | 5 | 02:05 |
| What are natural hazards? | 6–8 | 04:35 |
| Pacific Rim of Fire | 9 | 05:37 |
| Plate boundaries | 10–13 | 07:09 |
| Planning pathway – earthquakes | 14 | 17:42 |
| Planning pathway – volcanoes | 15 | 18:37 |
| Associated hazards – tsunamis and landslides | 16 | 19:10 |
| JOIDES Resolution – researching natural hazards | 17 | 21:35 |
| Expedition #375 – Hikurangi subduction zone | 18–20 | 22:28 |
| What are slow slips? | 21 | 26:49 |
| What did you find out? | 22 | 30:21 |
| What were the challenges? | 23 | 33:09 |
| What next – for science? | 24 | 39:37 |
| What next – in the classroom? | 25 | 42:09 |
| SLH links, keep in touch and thanks | 26 | 43:58 |
Nature of science
The work of JOIDES Resolution demonstrates the nature of science in action – scientists from around the world with different languages, backgrounds and approaches working together to collect new evidence, discussing their conclusions and building new understandings about natural hazards.
Activity ideas
There are several student activities that explore the processes behind natural hazards. These include Tectonic sandwiches, New Zealand plate boundary models and Earthquakes New Zealand.
Interactive planning pathways
Two particularly useful interactive planning pathways have collated various resources on earthquakes and volcanoes to make it easier for teachers to find relevant resources.
Useful link
GNS Science is New Zealand’s leading provider of Earth, geoscience and isotope research and consultancy services, applying scientific knowledge from the atomic to the planetary scale to create wealth, protect the environment and improve the safety of people.
Acknowledgement
We wish to thank Aliki Weststrate from GNS Science for her time and willingness to share her stories with us.
