WHAT IS DISASTER RESILIENCE EDUCATION?

Disaster resilience education (DRE) is learning about natural hazards in the local environment and ways to keep communities safe from harm before, during and after an emergency or disaster.

Disaster resilient young people:

  • Recognise natural hazards in their local environment
  • Understand the harmful impacts that natural hazards have on people and places
  • Demonstrate strategies for staying safe, seeking help and helping others in an emergency
  • Design solutions to local challenges related to hazards and emergencies
  • Share their learning, opinions and ideas with local decision-makers
  • Participate in actions for recovery following a disaster or other traumatic event.

Our Lessons for Years 7 & 8

We’ve partnered with the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience to launch a new unit for Years 7 & 8, however the lessons could also work for Upper Primary: Years 5 & 6. The lessons help kids to develop an understanding of hazards, risks and how to avoid and/or limit the impact of potential disasters. 

The key educational objective of these lessons is to develop understanding of hazards, risks, and the mitigation of these to avoid and/or limit the impact of disasters. AIDR aims to foster the growth of resilience in young people to better cope with disasters pre, during, and post the event.

https://www.schools.aidr.org.au/disaster-resilience-education/

 

Secondary Education Resources

Introduction To Natural Hazards – Geography
– Years 7 & 8

Explore the differences between hazard, risk and disaster. Students will identify hazards in their local area and categorise them as natural or human-made. They will choose one natural hazard in their local area and investigate.
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Harmful Impacts Of Natural Hazards – Geography
– Years 7 & 8

Students will view videos about the impacts of natural hazards. They will then participate in a jigsaw activity and analyse a recollection of the 2018 flood in Hobart. They will choose a natural hazard and research how climate change will affect it in the future.
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Positive Impacts Of Natural Hazards – Geog & Science – Years 7 & 8

Students watch a video that details positive impacts of various natural hazards on environments. The incursion will involve information presented about natural hazards in the local area, positive impacts, cultural views and increasing community awareness.
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Local Advice About Hazards – HASS & HPE – Years 7 & 8

Students brainstorm who they can go to in the local community to find advice about local natural hazards, what questions to ask and what hazard information they have seen already in the community.
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Preparing For Natural Hazards – HASS & HPE – Years 7 & 8

Students will begin by quickly writing a list of items they would pack if they needed to leave their home due to an emergency. They will reflect on their choices then take time to write a well-considered packing list.
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Adaptation And Mitigation – STEM – Years 7 & 8

Students will begin by viewing a UN video on stopping hazards from becoming disasters. They will then rotate through four STEM building challenges related to floods, storms/cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides/avalanches. 
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Creative Recovery – Arts, Civics & HPE – Years 7 & 8

These activities are designed to assist in the recovery of communities that have experienced a disaster or traumatic event. Creative recovery is where students and the community respond to and process disasters using arts and culture.
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With Thanks to Our Partner

AIDR logoThe Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) develops, maintains and shares knowledge and learning to support a disaster resilient Australia. Building on extensive knowledge and experience in Australia and internationally, we work with government, communities, NGOs, not-for-profits, research organisations, education partners and the private sector to enhance disaster resilience through innovative thinking, professional development and knowledge sharing.

© 2022 Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience and Cool Australia