June Bacon-Bercey: Extreme Weather and Emergency Preparedness

Activity 1: Emergency Preparedness

Have students investigate four different types of extreme weather in the United States: blizzards, hurricanes/ flooding, thunderstorms/ lightning, and extreme heat. All of these extreme weather patterns have affected all parts of the U.S. at one time or another, though not at the same time of year/ during the same decade.

Create a large, four-column chart for the whole class, with each of the examples of extreme weather written at the top. What are some things that you should have to prepare for those emergencies? Write them under each column. The same item can appear in multiple columns, or only a few, or only one. For example, all homes should contain extra drinkable bottled water for any emergency, but a heating pack won’t serve you during an extreme heat event.

Use FEMA’s “How to Build a Kit for Emergencies” to prompt students for supplies they forgot.

For older kids, third grade, extend this activity to outside in their community/ county/ state. What are some things that could be built to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events? (3-ESS3-1)

Activity #2: Hunker Down

Using a range of recycled or leftover materials, have students build a small shelter for a small toy/ paper cut-out. What kinds of materials keep you safe from the sun? Which keep you warmer? Cooler? Have the educator use a thermometer to test which surfaces/ air spaces are cooler.