Tsunami:
The True Story of an April Fool’s Day Disaster

The “Tsunami in the Schoolyard” prompted American scientists to create a tsunami warning system for the Pacific basin. But a warning system can only be effective if the public is informed. This is true for all types of disasters, as well as tsunamis. What types of disasters might occur in your area? Tsunamis? Hurricanes? Tornadoes? Floods? Earthquakes? Volcanic Eruptions? Fires? Blizzards? Avalanches?

Have your students research disasters likely to affect your area. Contact the Red Cross and local government. Find out what the public needs to know about an impending disaster:
- How the warning will be sounded: siren? phone notification? media?
- How the public should respond: evacuate? take shelter in basement? exit building?
 
Have students work in groups/partners to publicize this information. Each group should create one or more of the following projects:
- poster
- radio spot
- TV spot
- pamphlet
- feature article for newspaper/magazine

Check out these Tsunami links:
                                    

Animated Diagram of Cause of Tsunami FEMA for Kids: Tsunami Pacific Tsunami Museum Savage Earth: Tsunamis

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All contents ©2004 by Gail Karwoski. This page last modified Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Questions? Comments? Email: gailkarwoski@hotmail.com