Recent events have presented teachers with several opportunities for teaching physical geography. Significant natural disasters which took place locally, nationally and globally such as, unprecedented weather conditions in Ireland; several major earthquakes including those which occurred in Haiti, New Zealand and more recently in Japan; the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Opportunities for teaching human geography are also presented in these dramatic events in terms of how people have been affected. This article looks at the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami and provides some suggestions for teachers for incorporating contemporary events into their geography programme. On Friday 11 March 2011 an earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter Scale occured 20 miles under the Pacific Ocean, off the east coast of Japan at 5.46am GMT. Shifts between the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates running from Japan to the Philippines caused the earthquake which in turn caused a tsunami (tidal wave). Several coastal cities were completely devastated as a result. The map shows the location of the epicentre (most powerful part) of the earthquake. Casualties have surpassed 10,000, hundreds of thousands are homeless, and thousands more are still reported missing. Meanwhile, Japan faces a nuclear crisis as radiation leaks from power plant reactors crippled during the quake along the northeast coast. As soon as the earthquake and tsunami happened , these events were reported graphically all over the world. However, contemporary events simultaneously provide several challenges as well as opportunities for teachers. While the immediacy of the event demands instant attention and up to date research there are excellent resources available for teachers. Understanding the Basics The issue of earthquakes is located in the Strand Unit Rocks and Soil (Natural Environment) on the primary geography curriculum. Teachers can respond to contemporary events such as the earthquake in Japan through use of enquiry questions e.g. what caused the earthquake to happen off the coast in Japan? What is the impact of the Japanese earthquake on people in Japan and on people internationally? How do you think Japanese people feel today? By addressing these questions, the teacher and the children can develop an investigation which leads to sound knowledge, understanding and skill development. There are a number of resources which can inform this investigation. Some children have family links with Japan. RTE broadcasts a children’s news programme which presents current affairs and topical events in a child friendly format. Other child friendly video clips are available on You Tube. Video clips can be supplemented with a selection of photographs. As the teacher, it is important to consider how you are going to explain the cause and impact of the devastation which occurred in Japan in an age appropriate manner. To focus your discussion of the news, choose one photograph and pose 6 questions based on What ? Where? Why? Who? When? and How? Children can write/draw a one page document which answers these questions. Additional Ideas for Addressing this Topic. Mapping the Destruction Create a photo pack Understanding Earthquakes Where was the earthquake’s epicentre? Where exactly in Japan did the tsunami hit? Which towns and cities have been affected most? Use maps of Asia, Japan and the world. Collect a number of photographs from national newspapers and web images. What does it look like in Japan following these natural disasters? Show photographs of the aftermath of the earthquake. Children can explore the causes of earthquakes and tsunamis through creation of 3 D models of the tectonic plates using a variety of material e.g. cardboard, foam polystyrene etc. Cover a globe with cardboard plates and demonstrate the plates colliding. Compare and contrast How strong was the 8.9 Sendai earthquake compared with with other other recent earthquakes, like those which hit Haiti and Chile earthquakes last year? The Haiti earthquake (January 2010) measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale. Over one year ago Haiti (January 2010) was devastated by a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake that killed over 230,000 people and left over a million homeless. While there was a huge outpouring of aid to Haiti, and while many have been helped, at least 1.3 million people are still living in temporary shelters and makeshift camps around Port-­‐au-­‐Prince. In 2010 a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island, causing widespread damage to buildings, although there were few injuries. What can be learned from these disasters and what are people do to protect themselves? Why are some countries e.g. Haiti more severely affected? Children can address these questions through projects, slide shows or through investigative reports. Examining life after the destruction What has life been like for survivors in the days following the disaster? What will come next for the people of northern Japan? As a class, discuss how it would feel to return to your hometown after this kind of devastation. Trócaire Resource Pack: Tales of Disasters After the 2004 Tsunami which occurred in South East Asia set of video resources based on puppetry were created for children. Primarily, the aim of these films was to inform children and communities in countries like Indonesia, East Timor and the Philippines about how to prepare for and stay safe during the region’s all too frequent natural disasters. The films were translated into English and compiled into a DVD resource pack called Tales of Disasters by Trócaire and a number of non-­‐governmental organisations in Asia. The accompanying curriculum-­‐based materials for the DVD convey to Irish children some of the realities of life in regions like South East Asia. The materials are based on each of the films and include information sheets, questions on the films, case studies, activities and worksheets linked to the Primary Curriculum. The Tales of Disasters films – Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcano, Flood / Landslide and Two Gardens -­‐ help to develop why natural disasters occur and the impact they have on communities. In the films, people work together and help each other; the vital role of trees and the natural landscape is highlighted and it’s a little girl who takes the lead in organising warning signal and evacuation roles. The films treat issues sensitively and are fun to watch. The characters are lovable and easy to relate to and children enjoy the storylines and are always eager to know what happens next. Tales of Disasters is an engaging and innovative resource that brings the wider world into the classroom in a fun and novel way. The pack which costs €15 is available from Trócaire (http://www.trocaire.org/) or 01/6293333 Setting the context When these kinds of disasters occur it is important not to teach them in isolation. Teaching about the Japanese Earthquake without teaching some aspect of life in Japan could not convey the whole picture. Life in Japan is located in the People and Other Lands Strand Unit of the primary geography curriculum. One of the significant lessons from the recent tragedy has been the worldwide realisation of how vulnerable we are to the extraordinary power of nature. This lesson was also highlighted for us in Ireland during recent flooding in parts of the country. Following the earthquake Intensive media coverage, amplified by local photography and the many acts of heroism and humanity, created a bond across regions, cultures and countries. However, when the issue is no longer in the news, people in Northern Japan and in Port Au Prince in Haiti will have to continue living with the impact of the devastation. The challenge for primary geography teachers is to include rather than exclude their stories. Additional resources are available from the Geographical Association in England (http://www.geography.org.uk/). Dr. Anne Dolan is a lecturer in primary geography in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Anne can be contacted at [email protected]