Intervention and assessment of earthquake knowledge at rural schools near the New Madrid seismic zone, USA

Harvey Henson (), Justin McDaniel (), Rajvee Subramanian () and Tishauna Edwards ()
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Harvey Henson: Southern Illinois University
Justin McDaniel: Southern Illinois University
Rajvee Subramanian: Western Illinois University
Tishauna Edwards: Southern Illinois University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2020, vol. 104, issue 2, No 8, 1315-1329

Abstract: Abstract Possible recurrence of large earthquakes such as the 1811–1812 New Madrid sequence presents a significant hazard in the Central United States. The efficacy of earthquake educational interventions intended to mitigate the Central United States earthquake threat has not been assessed. We describe the assessment of an intervention consisting of earth science and earthquake content presentations, an earthquake simulation and preparedness video, discussions with questions and answers, and a safety drill. Elementary and middle school students in nine schools in rural Illinois were tested before and after the intervention to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Data were collected using a 21-item, 3-construct questionnaire. Following factor analysis of the survey data, general linear mixed models were estimated to examine the effect of the intervention on student knowledge along three domains. Results indicated students’ knowledge increased significantly in local and general earthquake knowledge, as well as in general earthquake safety knowledge. Findings of this study provided evidence to improve earthquake outreach programs and to advance science teaching methods, especially in rural schools. Additionally, the assertion that interventions must be assessed was reinforced, and information gained will improve the assessment instrument and methodology.

Keywords: Earthquake science education; Educational assessment; Rural education; Earthquake preparedness; Earthquake intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04215-1

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