Athens College Junior High School students preoccupied themselves with the matter of natural disasters and ways to deal with their effects.  Students watched a video of a speech by College President, Dr. Costas Synolakis ΄75, who addressed the issue in his capacity as Professor of Natural Disasters.

Students initially completed a questionnaire to determine what they already knew about the subject.  They then listened carefully to Dr. Synolakis’ detailed presentation on earthquakes, fires and floods, which included measures to prevent these phenomena, the correct way to comport oneself as they are occurring, and measures to be taken after their occurrence.

The presentations were delivered by Ms. Angeliki Dimitroulia, a PhD candidate at the Technical University of Crete.

Students in 7th grade were informed about earthquakes, those in 8th grade about fires and those in 9th grade about floods.

Students completed individual worksheets in which they recorded key ways to protect themselves from the natural disaster they studied, including meeting points, escape routes if the natural disaster occurs while they are at school and suggestions for basic supplies and equipment the School should have to cope with the natural disaster.

At the same time, they recorded protective and coping measures they should take in the event that the natural disaster occurs while they are at home.

Last of all, students in each grade section gathered their individual ideas and created a poster for their classroom that outlined what to do in case of emergency.

This activity was part of the Middle Years Programme’s Service as Action, through which students developed metacognitive skills, strengthened their all-round perception, and engaged in processes of reflection and self-assessment.