By UPRI Education Division and UP NOAH Center Hazards Assessment Team
The UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), in partnership with Durham University Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience and the UP National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED), successfully held a Natural Hazards Demonstrations and Activities for Secondary School Teaching Workshop on September 28, 2024, at the UP NISMED Auditorium. The workshop equipped 52 secondary school teachers with hands-on demonstrations to effectively illustrate natural hazard processes—including earthquakes, flooding, storm surges, landslides, and tropical cyclones—within the context of the Matatag Curriculum.
The interactive workshop was led by Prof. Bruce D. Malamud, the Wilson Chair of Hazard and Risk and Director of the Institute of Hazard, Risk, and Resilience at Durham University. He showcased models related to hydrometeorological and geological hazards, including the stick-slip model, balloon-in-a-bottle, hot water in a bottle, slinky-earthquake waves, and models using foam. These activities illustrated concepts taught in secondary schools with accessible, cost-effective materials.
A key demonstration was the liquefaction model, which showed how saturated land can behave like a liquid during strong ground shaking. Using plastic containers, sand, and toy houses to represent buildings, the model provided a vivid representation of how liquefaction affects structures. Another highlight was a simplified version of the BOSS (Building Oscillation Seismic Simulation) model, which used recycled materials like shoe boxes, balloon sticks, and styrofoam to demonstrate the varying stability of buildings of different heights during an earthquake.
Among the most popular demonstrations were the ShakeTable and the Augmented Reality (AR) Sandbox. The ShakeTable, developed by UPRI and UP NISMED, simulates earthquake effects using Arduino boards and servo motors programmed to replicate seismic readings from real earthquakes. The AR Sandbox brought topography to life, transforming 2D concepts like contour lines into an interactive 3D experience.
Teachers from Pampanga, Bulacan, Aurora, Valenzuela, Laguna, and Metro Manila participated, eager to acquire diverse teaching methods and materials that showcase natural hazard processes using low-cost, sustainable, and locally available resources. In addition to the hands-on demos, participants were provided with supplementary resources, including slide decks, info sheets, and activity sheets, to further aid in lesson preparation.
At the end of the workshop, participants expressed gratitude for the enriching and interactive experience, appreciating the opportunity to consult with experts who effectively contextualized the activities to align with the secondary school curriculum. They were particularly thankful for learning about simple yet impactful demonstrations using everyday materials or other accessible low-cost alternatives.
This undertaking underscores the crucial role of empowering teachers in disaster risk reduction and management. As educators of the youth, they play a crucial role in imparting valuable knowledge about natural hazards, their impacts, and the proper safety measures to mitigate them. By equipping teachers with the tools and strategies to effectively communicate these concepts, a new generation of well-informed, proactive, and resilient youth is being nurtured to champion safety and promote a culture of preparedness in the country.