9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
[G02-02] Current and future development of educational tools and training programs in Itoigawa Geopark with the support of multidisciplinary experts
Keywords:Earthquake-Volcano-Geology Summer School for children, Itoigawa geopark, support by multidisciplinary experts, Development of Educational Tools
Review of Resources and Development of Educational Tools
Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark (hereinafter “Itoigawa Geopark”) has the experience of hosting the 13th Earthquake and Volcano Children’s Summer School (hereinafter “Summer School”) in 2012, 3 years after being certified as a Global Geopark in 2009. At the time, the Geopark was reviewing its educational materials and programs for scientific value, necessity, and effectiveness in communicating events related to the earth. Through hosting the Summer School, we were able to conduct this review with the help of experts from many fields.
Outline of the Summer School
The Summer School Event was held over two days from 18 – 19 August 2012. Some of Itoigawa Geopark’s characteristic local resources include the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) and Fossa Magna; the active volcano Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama; and the divide between Eastern and Western topography and geology. These resources can be used to interpret the formation of the Japanese Archipelago and deepen understanding of disaster prevention. The theme of the Summer School was “Mystery of the Land Torn between East and West.” Participants included 33 students from Elementary School to High School and a 45 lecturers and staff from the Seismological Society of Japan, the Volcanological Society of Japan, and the Geological Society of Japan.
Learning Program
18 August: 1) Miyama Park Observation Tower (observation of the topography on either side of the ISTL); 2) Confluence of the Himekawa and Nechi Rivers (observing difference in rocks and gravel between east and west); 3) East-West stone arranging (clearly see the difference in rock types); 4) Hands-on learning (Fossa Magna flour experiment, strata formation experiment) and lecture (earthquakes and volcanos, formation of the Japanese Archipelago); 5) Q&A time with researchers
19 August: 6) Sandstone-mudstone interbedding observation (strata which filled up the Fossa Magna); 7) ISTL outcrop observation and tasting of groundwater from east and west sides (how the fault appears, understanding of the crumbling of rocks); 8) Tour of the Fossa Magna Museum (summary and review of lessons); 9) Group presentation preparation and presentation.
Developed Learning Materials
1) East-West Stone Arrangement (clear and easy-to-understand presentation); 2) Stone Battle (understanding stone hardness); 3) Flip-book (understanding processes related to the Japanese Archipelago and Fossa Magna as well as continent formation); 4) Flour-based Experiment on Japanese Archipelago and Fossa Magna Formation (proposed by the Kobe High School Lab Team); 5) Strata Formation Experiment Using Acrylic Pipe, 6) Sandwich Bread Crushing Experiment; 7) Human Ruler (understanding long timescales).
Results and Future Developments
Fervent discussion by many experts in seismology, volcanology and geology of the region’s resources and how they can be shown and interpreted helped change the thinking of local staff making the Geopark easier to understand as a result of the Summer School. Of course, this also helped make the Summer School program more successful and maintain high levels of satisfaction among participating students. In Itoigawa Geopark, Geopark Studies forms part of the elementary and junior high school curriculum, using programs and tools developed as a result of the Summer School. These are also used for schools visiting from outside of the area. Itoigawa Geopark will continue to improve and expand these tools and educational programs to become a more valuable field for learning about the Japanese Archipelago.
Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark (hereinafter “Itoigawa Geopark”) has the experience of hosting the 13th Earthquake and Volcano Children’s Summer School (hereinafter “Summer School”) in 2012, 3 years after being certified as a Global Geopark in 2009. At the time, the Geopark was reviewing its educational materials and programs for scientific value, necessity, and effectiveness in communicating events related to the earth. Through hosting the Summer School, we were able to conduct this review with the help of experts from many fields.
Outline of the Summer School
The Summer School Event was held over two days from 18 – 19 August 2012. Some of Itoigawa Geopark’s characteristic local resources include the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line (ISTL) and Fossa Magna; the active volcano Mt. Niigata-Yakeyama; and the divide between Eastern and Western topography and geology. These resources can be used to interpret the formation of the Japanese Archipelago and deepen understanding of disaster prevention. The theme of the Summer School was “Mystery of the Land Torn between East and West.” Participants included 33 students from Elementary School to High School and a 45 lecturers and staff from the Seismological Society of Japan, the Volcanological Society of Japan, and the Geological Society of Japan.
Learning Program
18 August: 1) Miyama Park Observation Tower (observation of the topography on either side of the ISTL); 2) Confluence of the Himekawa and Nechi Rivers (observing difference in rocks and gravel between east and west); 3) East-West stone arranging (clearly see the difference in rock types); 4) Hands-on learning (Fossa Magna flour experiment, strata formation experiment) and lecture (earthquakes and volcanos, formation of the Japanese Archipelago); 5) Q&A time with researchers
19 August: 6) Sandstone-mudstone interbedding observation (strata which filled up the Fossa Magna); 7) ISTL outcrop observation and tasting of groundwater from east and west sides (how the fault appears, understanding of the crumbling of rocks); 8) Tour of the Fossa Magna Museum (summary and review of lessons); 9) Group presentation preparation and presentation.
Developed Learning Materials
1) East-West Stone Arrangement (clear and easy-to-understand presentation); 2) Stone Battle (understanding stone hardness); 3) Flip-book (understanding processes related to the Japanese Archipelago and Fossa Magna as well as continent formation); 4) Flour-based Experiment on Japanese Archipelago and Fossa Magna Formation (proposed by the Kobe High School Lab Team); 5) Strata Formation Experiment Using Acrylic Pipe, 6) Sandwich Bread Crushing Experiment; 7) Human Ruler (understanding long timescales).
Results and Future Developments
Fervent discussion by many experts in seismology, volcanology and geology of the region’s resources and how they can be shown and interpreted helped change the thinking of local staff making the Geopark easier to understand as a result of the Summer School. Of course, this also helped make the Summer School program more successful and maintain high levels of satisfaction among participating students. In Itoigawa Geopark, Geopark Studies forms part of the elementary and junior high school curriculum, using programs and tools developed as a result of the Summer School. These are also used for schools visiting from outside of the area. Itoigawa Geopark will continue to improve and expand these tools and educational programs to become a more valuable field for learning about the Japanese Archipelago.