UTILIZING PARTNERSHIPS TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT VOLCANIC HAZARDS IN THE FIELD: THE MOUNT ST. HELENS INSTITUTE PRESENTS THE VOLCANO AFTER DARK PROGRAM

In the summer of 2009, the Mount St. Helens Institute partnered with the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to pilot a program entitled Volcano After Dark. Very few students are able to experience the wonder of Mount St. Helens at night.

This overnight program at Mount St. Helens was designed to address this problem. Volcano After Dark immerses students in the ever-changing landscape at Mount St. Helens. Students stay overnight in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument at the Coldwater Visitor Center. Through the context of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, students are introduced to volcanic processes as well as volcanic hazards. Students participate in a field science component to better understand how geologists monitor Mount St. Helens and other Cascade volcanoes. They also embark on day and night hikes to learn about the fascinating ecological discoveries being made at Mount St. Helens.

Over 100 students participated in the Volcano After Dark program in the summer of 2009. The

Mount St.

Helens Institute used entry questionnaires and exit surveys to assess the efficacy of this program. Based on data collected in these evaluations, awareness of volcanic processes and volcanic hazards in the Cascades increased among 90% of participants.

The Volcano After Dark program is a very promising model for teaching about volcano processes and hazards in the field. The program also incorporates educational components that could be applied in a classroom setting.