Lesson 1 – What is a Disaster?

Learn about the various forms of natural disasters that affect our world and the impact they have on our daily lives. This interactive lesson will engage your students, increase their awareness on natural disasters, and inform them on unique characteristics of each natural disaster.

Lesson Objectives:

• Youth will be able to define a natural disaster and its characteristics.
• Youth will be able to identify some common natural disasters.
• Youth will be able to research and present on natural disasters.

Lesson 2 – Hurricanes

Students will get an in-depth look at how hurricanes are formed, how they are categorized, and the destructive power that they carry. Students will also get engaged in group activities focusing on constructing hurricane proof structures.

Lesson Objectives:

• Youth will be able to identify what a hurricane is.
• Youth will be able to construct a hurricane-proof house in groups.
• Youth will be able to experiment how strong hurricane winds are.

Science Standards #3-ESS3-1

Lesson 3 – Flooding

Students will get an in-depth look at flooding and the precautions needed to protect their homes.This lesson will also allow students to participate in a group activity where they must create a barrier to protect their doghouse from flooding.

Lesson Objectives:

• Youth will be able to identify what a flood is.
• Youth will be able to understand the importance of levees and barriers to prevent flooding.
• Youth will be able to experiment with a flood barrier STEM challenge.

Science Standards # 3-ESS3-1

Lesson 4 – How to Prepare?

This lesson is centered on disaster preparedness and how students and their families can be proactive when getting ready for a storm.These precautions come in the form of preparing emergency kits, filling out emergency information cards, and placing sandbags around their homes to prevent flooding etc.

Lesson Objectives:

• Youth will be able to identify what being prepared for a natural disaster is and is not.
• Youth will be able to evaluate a preparedness checklist before a natural disaster.
• Youth will be able to create a natural disaster preparedness kit.

Lesson 5 – Effects of a Disaster

This lesson focuses on the effects of a natural disaster with a focus on how Louisiana is affected by floodings and hurricanes. The students will also get an opportunity to present in groups on the effects of a natural disaster of their choice.

Lesson Objectives:

• Youth will be able to identify some of the effects of a natural disaster.
• Youth will be able to identify the effects of Natural disasters on Louisiana.
• Youth will be able to create a poster on a natural disaster to discuss the effects of it.

Science Standards #: 3-LS4-4

Lesson 6 – Emotions from a Disaster

In this lesson students will be able to open up about their personal experiences with natural disasters and how it impacted them personally. Students will become aware of the emotional impacts that natural disasters may have on individuals and how to cope with the repercussions.

Lesson Objectives:

• Youth will be able to identify ways to help with their emotions from a natural disaster.
• Youth will be able to talk about their emotions.