Seconds From Catastrophe? Living with an active volcano

This activity is based on real events that took place in late June, 1997 at the Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat and is led by science researchers who were actually onsite during the ongoing eruption. Most of the issues raised are real although, in some cases, the situation is simplified.

Each student is asked to role-play one person in the crisis and is provided with some basic information about their character. Some of them will also get data that would have been available. These characters fall into three main groups: scientists, government officials, and member of the public. They come together to discuss their data and feelings as a group, before the ‘government’ makes the final decision. As the scenario develops, the tension mounts and the debate becomes increasingly passionate.

At the end of the exercise the students find out what really happened and what the consequences of their own decisions might have been.

“The activity sets scientific information in a real-world situation which, while factually accurate, is as dramatic as any disaster movie,” says Dr David Bailey, Head of Outreach at the British Geological Survey.

“It shows that scientists can have a direct and vital role in events that threaten lives and livelihoods. It tests students’ comprehension, teamwork and, ability to assess information and present it to others. Their thinking and communication skills are challenged and extended by tackling a serious problem which has no single right answer”.

Seconds from catastrophe is also a good example of how teachers from across STEM and beyond can work together as the activity extends across the science and geography curriculum into the citizenship agenda. For example, it encourages students to take an interest in topical and controversial issues and engage in discussion and debate and forces them to consider issues relating to social justice, community cohesion and global interdependence.

“This project had a life-changing impact on some of the pupils,” says Clive Beckwith of Carlton-le-Willows School, Nottingham. “The parents I spoke to talked about how their children now aspire to become involved in earth sciences. Some parents reported how their children had become avid watchers of news items about earthquake and volcano activity and some have even changed their GCSE options as a result!”