Outline: Volcano Scenario

week 1
week 2
week 3
week 4
week 5
week 6
week 7
week 8
week 9
week 10
week 11
week 12
week 13
week 14
week 15
week 16

Week 2: Volcano Scenario
You should now be somewhat familiar with ESS and PBL. The purpose of completing the assignments below is to give you an opportunity to learn how to analyze an environmental issue from an Earth system science standpoint using the PBL model. Pay attention to the processes you follow to complete these assignments as you will be using the same instructions to complete the individual and team Week A: Teacher as Problem Solver assignments in Weeks 4, 7, 10, and 13.

Volcano Scenario
In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines exploded into Earth's second largest volcanic eruption this century. This eruption deposited more than 1 cubic mile (5 cubic kilometers) of volcanic ash and rock fragments on the volcano's slopes. Within hours, heavy rains began to wash this material down into the surrounding lowlands in giant, fast-moving lahars. In the next four rainy seasons, lahars carried about half of the deposits off the volcano, causing even more destruction in the lowlands than the eruption itself.

Situation
A Washington State panel comprised of business people, state congressional representatives, and concerned citizens has contacted your team for advice. They want you to study the impact that Mt. Rainier might have if it were to erupt with the same magnitude as the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. You will use the PBL Model and the Earth system science approach in preparing your response.

Assignments
You will work individually and in teams to address the volcano event. Use the links below to access your assignments.

Note: Now you are about to set out on your own. Please keep in mind that you all have to start someplace (as do your students). If volcanoes are not your area of expertise, don't worry about it. You will be surprised at how much you do know. Remember, you are learning the process at this point. The assignments you do in Week 2 mimic the Week A: Teacher as Problem Solver assignments you will do in Weeks 4, 7, 10, and 13. You will use the same instructions for the Week A individual and team assignments to complete this week's assignment concerning the volcano event.

Week A: Teacher as Problem Solver - Individual
Private Theory Assignment & Rubric
Identify what you believe to be true and the reasons for why you have those beliefs regarding the volcano event.

Note: You will work individually to complete this assignment. You have seen how this assignment has been modeled for you in the Week 2: The Integration of the ESS Analysis and PBL Model reading. You should use a similar approach when posting your responses.

Week A: Teacher as Problem Solver - Team
Knowledge-Building Assignment & Rubric
Build ESS knowledge as a team about the volcano event described in the scenario, and develop a problem statement.

Note: You will work with your teammates to complete this assignment. The steps in this assignment have not been modeled for you. Your team's responsibility is to work together to come up with responses to the assigned tasks. Remember, you will not be receiving a grade for your work at this point. The goal is for you and your teammates to learn how to work together online and to familiarize yourself with the process.

[ Back to Outline ]

[ Home ] [ Intro ] [ Guide ] Outline [ Classroom ]

HTML code by Chris Kreger
Maintained by ESSC Team
Last updated July 27, 2000