WEB-BASED TEACHING RESOURCES ABOUT HURRICANE KATRINA

In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, there is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the relevance and importance of the geosciences to the general public. To help understand the lessons of Hurricane Katrina, we have developed a web-based collection of resources that focus on the science surrounding Hurricane Katrina: http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/katrina/index.html. Specific topics that are addressed include: physiography, the geology of the Mississippi River and delta, human impacts and development of this area; natural resources affected by the hurricane; Gulf Coast climate; the science of hurricanes and hurricane history; the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and impacts on human health. This site emphasizes an Earth system approach, and demonstrates the connections between geology, climate and humanity. Teaching activities built upon the resource collection include a role-playing exercise on “How should New Orleans be rebuilt?” and a jigsaw teaching activity that asks “Are increasingly stronger hurricane seasons associated with global climate change?” Additional instructional activities are linked through Teaching with Visualizations (hurricane visualizations collection). The resources made available through the Teaching with Hurricane Katrina module can be readily used, adapted or adopted for use throughout K-12, undergraduate and informal education. By presenting the fundamental science related to Hurricane Katrina (e.g. physiography, frequency and magnitude of storms, impacts of development), we hope to foster greater understanding of natural systems by the general public and to promote informed and responsible decision-making.