By Mary Hart and Anne Bell
Participants and presenters alike enjoyed another fact-filled and fun Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Institute at the University of Northern Colorado’s Michener Library June 14 - 16. The topic, The Human Impact of Natural Disasters: Controlling, Chronicling, and Capitalizing on Nature's Fury, unfolded through Library of Congress primary sources, guests speakers, and opportunities to create learning experiences for students.
Day one focused on violent weather and destructive storms. The book Isaac’s Storm by Eric Larson, which chronicles the dramatic events leading up to and including the details of the Galveston hurricane of 1900, the most devastating natural disaster in American history, had been sent to participants before the institute, providing a lively discussion. UNC Meteorology faculty member Derek Starkenburg’s informative presentation helped participants to better understand weather patterns, and participants dived into Chronicling America from the Library website to follow newspaper coverage of the Galveston hurricane.
With images of the recent earthquake in Japan fresh in everyone’s mind, day two’s topic, the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, provided a historical perspective, while UNC physical sciences faculty member Byron Straw’s presentation explained the science behind such natural disasters. Participant and physical science teacher Denny Heyrman provided barometers for everyone, and also set up hands-on experiment stations showing how a buildup of force in the earth can produce earthquakes. Primary Source photos and movies chronicling the San Francisco disaster provided participants with ideas for their own activity and lesson plans.
The final day included a fascinating case study of the 1985 Armero, Colombia, volcano and flood tragedy by Bruce Feinberg from the Bureau of Reclamation. Participants explored the Library’s historic online photos of the 1889 Johnstown, Pennsylvania flood, and compared photos from current and historical disasters. Additional activities focused on disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Especially worth noting was the final day’s outdoor box lunch feast, including a fabulous ice cream sundae bar. Thanks to everyone who participated!
