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Natural Disasters for Kids | Learn About Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Floods, and More!

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Most natural disasters are impossible to prevent. The forces of nature that cause them are beyond the control of humans. Their effects, however, may be reduced in several ways: by preparing for natural disasters, by preventing them where possible, and by reducing the impact they have on people.

Preparing for Natural Disasters

Developed countries that suffer from earthquakes, such as Japan and the United States, have buildings that can stand up to all but the most powerful earthquakes. Storm shelters can be built to provide a safe place for people to stay during hurricanes and tornadoes.

The Thames Barrier, in England, was built to protect London from flooding. This type of preparation is less common in developing countries because it can be very expensive.

Preventing Natural Disasters

Natural disasters that occur because of the movement of Earth's plates cannot be prevented, but some others may be preventable. Protecting the environment, for example, may prevent disasters such as avalanches and landslides. Trees on hillsides help keep snow and soil in place. If too many trees are cut down, then avalanches and landslides are more likely to happen. Flooding can be prevented in some places by strengthening a river's edges, building dams, and redirecting floodwater away from towns.

Reducing the Effects of Natural Disasters

The effects of natural disasters can be reduced in two main ways. Warning systems can tell people to prepare for a disaster, and relief agencies can help deal with the problems caused by the disaster.

Sensible planning can also prevent deaths from natural disasters. For example, people can choose not to build towns on the sides of volcanoes, in active earthquake zones, or on floodplains.

Early Warning Systems

Early warning systems can pick up clues that a natural disaster may occur. They can then send a warning message to the people it might affect. Flood and severe weather warning messages are often broadcast on television, radio, and the Internet.

Places at risk of natural disasters often have evacuation plans in place so people can get out of the area before the disaster happens. People are also taught how to cope when disaster strikes, such as keeping supplies of food and water nearby.

Relief Agencies

Relief agencies, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent and Oxfam, help support the victims of natural disasters. These organizations set up temporary camps; provide food, medical care, and education; and help people rebuild their lives if necessary.

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Natural disasters are violent events that are outside the control of humans. They are caused by the forces of nature and may result in loss of life, injury, and damage to...

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About the Project

In 2019, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) was awarded a $4.5 million early-phase Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant (PR# U411C190055) for its proposal "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom: Improving Student Achievement Across State Borders and State Standards." The grant program, administered by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) at the U.S. Department of Education, supports the development, implementation, and initial evaluation of evidence-based innovations to improve student achievement.

The project, titled Smithsonian Science for North and South Carolina Classrooms, launched in October 2019 and will run through September 2024 in North and South Carolina. This project impacts third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms in 37 schools across seven districts in the two states. For more information, contact Katie Gainsback ( gainsbackk@si.edu).

Project Goals

The goals of the project are to provide curriculum and content professional development to teachers in an ongoing manner, focused on student learning in science and engineering to result in increased teacher confidence and preparedness that will translate to increased student achievement in science, math, and reading.

Project Activities

Participating schools receive:
* Smithsonian Science for the Classroom modules at grades 3-5 totaling 291 curriculum modules delivered to date.
* Professional learning opportunities for each module taught. To date, 97 hours of training via three workshops have been offered.
* Modest stipends for participating grade 3-5 teachers.
* Increased local capacity via a cadre of teachers trained in inquiry-based teaching currently totaling 189 teachers in the first three years of the program.
* Insight into the impact of phenomenon-based curriculum on student achievement in each state.

North and South Carolina

In North Carolina, the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center is the regional partner and liaison and identified Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Polk County School Districts to participate. Those schools currently receiving professional development and curriculum are located in Taylorsville (Ellendale Elementary), Stony Point (Elementary), Morganton (Forest Hill and Mull Elementary), Connelly Springs (George Hildebrand and Icard Elementary), Granite Falls (Baton and Sawmills Elementary), Collettsville (School), Hudson (Elementary), Mill Spring (Polk Central Elementary), and Tryon (Elementary).

In South Carolina, the South Carolina's Coalition for Mathematics and Science is the regional partner and liaison and identified Marion, Marlboro, and Orangeburg County School Districts to participate. Those schools currently receiving professional development and curriculum are located in Mullins (McCormick Elementary), Bennettsville (Primary and Intermediate), McColl (Elementary Middle), Holly Hill (Elementary), Orangeburg (Mellichamp Elementary), and Eutawville (St. James-Gaillard Elementary).

Evaluation

The Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at the University of Memphis is evaluating the impact of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom modules and professional development on student achievement using standardized assessments, classroom observations, teacher surveys, and focus groups. Participating schools were randomly assigned as either "treatment" or "comparison" schools. Treatment schools receive both an engineering and science module at grades 3-5 with two levels of accompanying professional development. Comparison schools are teaching science using "business-as-usual" for years 1-4 of the research study, but will receive one module and one level of professional development from SSEC in the final year of the project.

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Smithsonian Science for NC and SC Classrooms

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About the Project In 2019, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) was awarded a $4.5 million early-phase Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant (PR# U411C190055) for its proposal "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom: Improving Student Achievement Across State Borders and State Standards." The grant program, administered by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) at the U.S.