Contextualization

Natural phenomena are occurrences that result from natural processes of the planet and happen freely, without human interference. Whether it is a tsunami, the emergence of a volcano or the occurrence of an earthquake, these are all events that have their origins from geological and physical processes intrinsic to the Earth. They are fascinating and often devastating events, capable of transforming landscapes and marking the history of a place and its people forever.

Volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis are examples of such phenomena, each one with its peculiarities and forms of occurrence. Volcanoes arise from geological processes that cause the rising of magma (molten rock) to the Earth's surface, which, when solidified, forms a cone-shaped structure. On the other hand, earthquakes are sudden movements of the ground, caused by shocks between the Earth's tectonic plates. Tsunamis are giant waves that normally form from submarine earthquakes but can also happen because of other events such as volcanic eruptions and landslides.

Relevance of Studying Natural Phenomena

Understanding how these phenomena occur and what their consequences are is of great importance not only for science but also for society. After all, natural phenomena often affect cities and the people who live in them, whether through damage to infrastructure or loss of human life. By understanding how they happen, it is possible to create prevention and damage mitigation strategies, increasing the safety of populations that live in risk areas.

Studying about volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis also makes it possible to have a greater understanding about how our planet functions, its geological and physical processes, and how they relate to other areas of knowledge such as geography and history. By learning more about these phenomena, students develop critical and analytical thinking skills while also broadening their view of the world.

To learn more about this subject, I recommend the following references:

• The website Brasil Escola has several articles and explanatory videos about natural phenomena, their causes and consequences
• The YouTube channel Manual do Mundo has a series of experimental videos on geology and natural phenomena
• The book "Fenômenos da Natureza: terremotos, vulcões, tsunamis, tornados e furacões" by Paula Tatiane da Silva (Editora Appris, 2016) is an excellent source of in-depth knowledge on this subject.
• The website Toda Matéria also has several pages dedicated to explaining the functions of each natural phenomenon in detail.

Practical activity

Title of activity: Natural Phenomena Simulation

Project objective

The objective of this project is to simulate the natural phenomena - volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis - using simple materials and to explain the theories that support how these phenomena work.

Detailed description of the project

Each group will select one of the three natural phenomena (volcano, earthquake or tsunami) and will carry out a simulation, as well as writing a report.

The simulation should be as realistic as possible and needs to clearly demonstrate the forces at work during the chosen phenomenon. The written report must detail the theory behind the phenomenon, explain the simulation steps, discuss the conclusions learned and list the references used.

The project, which is divided into three research phases, developing the simulations and writing the report, must be concluded within one month.

Necessary materials

The materials will vary according to the chosen phenomenon. However, some examples of materials include:

• For the simulation of a volcano: sodium bicarbonate, vinegar, food coloring, liquid detergent and a bottle or paper cone
• For the simulation of an earthquake: a sand tray, building blocks or dominoes, and a piece of wood or board to create the movement
• For the simulation of a tsunami: a clear tank filled with water, stones or sand to create the underwater topography, and a large, flat object to create the wave.

Step by step

1. Research: Each group will research their chosen phenomenon. The groups must understand the theory behind the phenomenon, how it occurs in nature, its causes and consequences, and how the simulation demonstrates these forces at work.
2. Developing the simulations: Each group will build their simulation according to the research done. Use the necessary materials to build the physical model of the chosen phenomenon.
3. Execution and documentation: The groups will execute their simulations, documenting the process with photos or videos. The results must be compared to the researched theory.
4. Written report: Each group will produce a report detailing the chosen phenomenon and the simulation. The report must contain: Introduction (with the context of the theme, its relevance, application and the project's objective), Development (theoretical explanation of the phenomenon, detailed description of the activity, methodology used and results), Conclusion (resumption of the main points, learning outcomes and conclusions about the project) and the Bibliography used.

Groups should have 3 to 5 students and the total time for the execution of the project will be 5 to 10 hours per student.

Project deliverables

The project's deliverables will be the physical simulation and the written report.

The physical simulation will show the phenomena in action. The students must clearly explain how the simulation demonstrates how the chosen natural phenomenon works.

The written report must emphasize the theory behind the phenomenon, present the methodology used in the simulation, discuss the observed results and the lessons learned. The report will help the students to organize their ideas, improve their technical and scientific writing and will serve as a record of their work.

Upon concluding the project, the students must have acquired technical skills in understanding natural phenomena and socioemotional skills such as time management, communication, problem solving, creative thinking and being proactive.