Natural Resources

Grade Level: 4th

Subject: Science

Time Frame: 4 weeks (May)

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Essential Questions

 

- what is a natural hazard?
- can natural hazards be prevented?
- how do earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis form?
- how are earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis monitored?
- how does earthquake engineering create earthquake resistant buildings?

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By the end of the unit, students will know:

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- natural hazards result from natural processes
- natural hazards cannot be prevented but their damage can be minimized 
- how plate tectonics lead to earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis
- how scientists monitor and/or predict earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis 
- building techniques that enable buildings to resist earthquake and tsunami damage

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By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

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- describe natural hazards
- explain how earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis form
- describe the tools used to monitor earthquakes
- explain how a seismograph works
- describe how seismic, gas and ground deformation monitoring helps scientists to monitor/predict volcanoes
- describe how the DART system enables scientists to detect potential tsunamis
- design an earthquake resistant building

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Topics

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- natural hazards
- earthquakes
- volcanoes
-tsunamis 
- minimizing damage 

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Standards

4-ESS3-2