Development of STEAM teaching materials for understanding volcano disaster prevention systems

Education around volcanic activity and volcanic disaster prevention systems is important in Japan due to its proximity to the Ring of Fire where there are hundreds of active volcanoes. Knowledge and awareness of what to do during volcanic eruptions has the potential to save lives. The science of predicting volcanic eruptions is complex and it is therefore difficult to predict eruptions. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge is crucial to ensure effective disaster mitigation strategies are in place. Dr Shintaro Sato, Faculty of Contemporary Human Studies, Kyoto Notre Dame Women’s University, Japan, leads a team of researchers that is developing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths) teaching materials. The goal is to improve understanding of volcano disaster prevention systems among students and the wider community. This means correctly recognising disaster information provided by the Japan Meterological Agency and other organisations, and using this information to select actions and make decisions in the event of a disaster. This includes understanding of volcanic observation systems, the reading of numerical data obtained and knowledge of natural phenomena related to volcanic eruptions. In doing so, Sato believes the content is more likely to have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. Following the development of the teaching materials, the researchers investigated the effectiveness of the content, in part by comparing the functions of MESH blocks. These include motion, motion-sensing, temperature and humidity, button and LED blocks.