Missouri Seismic Safety Commission - Strategy 1.3

STRATEGY:

Increase awareness of earthquakes and earthquake risk in Missouri among K-12 students.

ACTION:

Teach all Missouri K-12 students about earthquakes and earthquake risk, from both an earth science and a public safety perspective.

RESULT:

Future generations of Missourians will be better equipped to prepare for, survive, and recover from future earthquakes. This will prepare them for their futures, whether they remain in Missouri, move to California, vacation in Alaska or Hawaii, or do business in Japan.



Background

Kindergarten through 12th-grade students may be the most receptive to learning about earthquakes and earthquake risk. Many earthquake/ earthquake risk resources are available, both in hardcopy and in electronic form via the Internet. Excellent materials are available from FEMA and others sources.

Implementation

Some ways to increase awareness of earthquakes and earthquake risk among K-12 students follow.

Sponsor, support and encourage use of study units on earthquakes, earthquake risk, earthquake safety, and related topics. Use modules already available from FEMA and other sources. Incorporate study of earth science, natural and human history, math, geography, physics, computer science, individual research, and other subjects in an age-appropriate manner.

Sponsor, support and encourage enthusiastic earthquake drills and safety exercises in each public and private K-12 school in Missouri.

Sponsor, support and encourage earthquake safety poster contests in grades K-6. Displays of local entries will be posted in schools, libraries, public buildings, etc. Local winners will compete statewide; final winners will be used in televised public service announcements for following years' Earthquake Awareness Week.

Responsible Agencies:

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Instruction
Missouri Association of Teaching Christian Homes, Inc.
Families for Home Education, Inc.
Association of Missouri private schools

Last Changed April 28, 1997