Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado | CEEE

Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado The way we choose to design our communities has impacted community risk and vulnerability to flooding; in this lesson, students will explore this concept by analyzing environmental data to classify patterns and practice communicating their findings.  Context for Use This lesson is best used as part of the HEART Force curricular unit. Potential lessons to follow include: HEART Force Flood Response Game HEART Force Pathways to Resilience Action Projects This lesson could also be a stand-alone lesson to introduce students to flood in Colorado. Aerial scene of Big Thompson Flood of 2013 along Hwy. 34 Photo Credit: U.S. Air National Guard, Capt. Darin Overstreet Program Hazard Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force Resource Type Lesson Topics Colorado-Based Community Resilience & Climate Action Community-focused Earth's Systems Natural Hazards Water Resources High School NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea(s) ESS3B: Natural Hazards ESS3C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems Published Date April 18, 2020 Funding Information Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado Funding Information × NOAA award number NA18SEC0080007 funded as part of the NOAA Environmental Literacy Program. Close Goals Header What Students Will Do Analyze flood data to identify patterns of flood history and risk in Colorado.  Communicate information about historic causes and effects of floods in your community. Explain what community members should do to be safe in the event of a flood. Materials User note: To make an editable copy of the teaching materials in Google Drive, select File > "Make a copy". This will make a copy for you to save to your own drive and edit as you see fit. Lesson Materials - Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado Lesson Materials Teacher Guide - Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado Teacher Guide Student Worksheet - Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado Student Worksheet Lesson Slides - Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Floods in Colorado Lesson Slides Description Students will build understanding about floods in Colorado through the following learning activities: Part 1 – Engage (20 minutes) Introduction to Flood Concepts and Case Study As a class, watch news clips about floods in Colorado and have a brief class discussion. Part 2 – Explore (60 minutes) Flood Data Analysis Jigsaw In groups, analyze flood information and data to build understanding of the causes, impacts, locations, and frequency of floods. Additionally, students use GIS to identify areas in their community in the 100 year floodplain that may be at risk of flooding. Part 3 – Explain and Evaluate (90 minutes) Community Outreach for Flood Preparation New student groups (with a student from each group in Activity 2 jigsaw) will present information to each other, and begin writing an outline for a Letter to the Editor. Next, students write a Letter to the Editor answering the driving question: What can we learn from past flood events to prepare for future floods?     Similar Resources Adapting to Extremes: Exploring the Science of Drought in Colorado High School Lesson Communicate Existing Plans