To help students to become scientifically literate citizens, reading the news is one way to make them more aware.  They can use a news paper or online resources to learn about the natural disasters that happen around the world.  Giving students an opportunity to compare disaster that are happening now to those that have already happened will give them more understanding about certain disasters.  For example, students that have been through a hurricane such as Isabelle, which was only a category 1 storm when it hit the tide water area  have a reference point to be able to compare other hurricanes that are different categories.     


Having students explore where relieve efforts come from within a community can also help them have a better understanding of the effects of a natural disaster.  Allowing students to talk to people who volunteer or work to keep the help ready can give students an idea of how life changing a natural disaster can be.  A project for students could be to help a organization be prepared for providing relief after a natural disaster.  Students could also create a plan for helping others after a natural disaster to support their community.  This experience would be a very real life experience that will offer meaningful learning about natural disasters.  

Providing students with opportunities to become aware of natural disasters around the world will help them to be more scientifically literate and compassionate citizens.  Having students to compare and contrast disasters that have happened over the years will help students understand in a more meaningful way because it will give them something to compare.  Students that have been through a hurricane will have an idea of what a hurricane that is stronger or weaker is like.  This real life experience will all students to have an idea of hurricanes that are stronger would be like.  A reference point gives students a more meaningful connection to other natural disasters that have happened all over the world.  


Using the news in the form of a newspaper or the internet is one way that I would have my students to connect to these natural disaster concepts.  After they have read about a natural disaster, giving them time to find out some of their wonders will build thier knowledge about that certain type of disaster.  


Investigating ways that people provide relieve for victims of natural disasters will also prepare students to be scientific literate citizens.  In addition, exploring ways we protect our selves from disasters, predict natural disasters, and recover for disasters will help students be more scientifically literate.