#pnsn

It's Not HER Fault! (It's the San Andreas One)

Ruth Stewart-Curley designed her Fund for Teachers fellowship to explore seismology of the Pacific Northwest to create a unit on earthquakes, tsunamis and plate tectonics that engage ESL Science students at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London, CT. We're proud to share a bit of her learning at the University of Washington’s Seismology Lab, Mt. St. Helen, California Academy of Science and the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, where she made this video for her students.

I set out as an TESOL teacher without a science background to educate myself through inquiry. I went to the west coast full of curiosity and excitement. That curiosity and excitement is what has had the biggest impact on my career. I am now excited about science and specifically seismology!

Often, mainstream teachers are not sure how to reach ELs(English Learners) when they transfer to their classrooms. Inquiry may appear beyond the ability of a limited English speaker. The unit I have developed from my experience and research can stand as a model for mainstream teachers to observe that inquiry is in fact an ideal method of teaching ELs. Not only is it a model of subject matter, it is a model of how to reach otherwise fringe students with interactive exciting lessons based on real experiences. My multidisciplinary unit using a WEEBLY will be accessible by anyone in the district. My students will be able to go back to their home countries and share what they have learned about disaster preparedness and perhaps further that research in their future education.   

Though I had a basic understanding of what causes earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis, I found I was woefully ignorant about the details. After asking uncountable questions of experts working in the field, tramping over mountains, beaches and forests as well as kayaking down remote waterways, I learned how plates really work and why these things happen. Thanks to Japanese records, native folklore and the hard work of seismology experts, we are learning more each day about the plate tectonics that effect the USA and how to be better prepared for imminent disasters.

I was surprised to learn that humans are causing frequent earthquakes in parts of American that use to have only very rare occurences. I learned this at Berkeley from a very helpful graduate student in the seismology department, Sierra. She invited me back to her lab and also taught me all about seismometers. Further, I was surprised to learn about how subduction zones work and that as one plate is disappearing under another on the Pacific coast, new plate is being created on the other side of the world. This came from Doug at University of WA Pacific Northwest Seismology Network (PNSN). He also informed me that though the coast would be in deep danger from an earthquake and tsunami, Seattle would be affected, but only right on the coast. (My son up on Queen Anne would be ok!) Doug said this was due to the great progress they have made in creating a worldwide early warning system.

This year I will not only be teaching my own classes for English language learners, but I will be co-teaching in a Science class. I will be able to use everything I learned about plate tectonics and seismology as well as share that knowledge and my enthusiasm with my co-teacher and students; I and they will never look at science or learning the same way. I will be able to share with my students what I have learned and encourage them to go out and learn more, so they can be of help to their families and communities.

I now have such a better understanding about plate tectonics and I've learned how to ask better questions. The wonderful people I interviewed were just as excited to share their learning as I was to learn from them. Now, I know not to just accept partial knowledge, but to delve in and research for myself and get to the real center of truth. My husband now warns people not to ask me any questions about anything related to seismology or the Pacific Northwest or they will never hear the end of my enthusiastic recounting of what I have learned!

Is Washington State Prepared for a Major Earthquake and Tsunami?

Seattle taxpayers are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to replace the city’s old seawall. The Seattle Department of Transportation said the old structure would likely fail and send water flooding into the city.

Scientists believe the Pacific Northwest is overdue for a massive earthquake. Voters in Seattle agreed to a levy to rebuild the old seawall along Seattle’s waterfront; it’s an…