6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
[O01-P07] Mt.Apoi Geopark's Efforts in Elementary School Science Education
Keywords:Mt.Apoi Geopark, Geopark, Elementary School Science Education, Volcanoes, unit "The Earth's Structure and its Changes", outdoor education
Elementary school 6th grade students learn about volcanoes in science class unit "The Earth's Structure and its Changes." But in Samani, there are no volcanoes. In Japan, there are a lot of areas with no volcanoes. We considered how to guide children's understanding of volcanoes in non volcanic areas.
According to a questionnaire answered by teachers, 80% of elementary school teachers feel "Geology" is difficult to obtain documents and information for when the teachers teach about regional geological characteristics. More than 50% of elementary school teachers feel that the units "Weather" and "The Earth's Structure and its Changes" are difficult to teach. Many elementary school children can imagine fossils and volcanoes, but they feel it is difficult to consider the Earth's underground structure and its changes.
Here, we introduce the elementary school science education efforts put into place in Samani's neighboring town Urakawa's elementary school. We aim to foster student's understanding of the scale of volcanic eruptions and natural forces.