The Soufriere Hills volcano located on the small island of Montserrat is ready to erupt at the same time a Category 3 hurricane is approaching the island from the east.

Student Site Teacher Site Student Site (Spanish)Teacher Site (Spanish)

Educational Categories:

Science
Math
Language Arts
Social Studies

e-Missions.net: Operation Montserrat

The Soufriere Hills volcano located on the small island of Montserrat is ready to erupt at the same time a Category 3 hurricane is approaching the island from the east. The volcano team calculates rock fall and volcanic tectonic data to predict what will happen with the volcano. The hurricane team tracks the approaching hurricane and calculates estimated times of arrival on the island. The evacuation team uses population maps and available transportation options to move residents out of the danger zones to safe shelters on the island. Your team receives satellite data from the island every 5-6 minutes to assess the situation. The communication team's job is to keep Mission Control informed about this brewing situation on Montserrat and to relay recommendations from all teams.

Standards

Earth science, water cycle, weather, oceans & energy, rock cycle, lithospheric plates, ecosystems and spheres, risk management, graphing, graph interpretation, math in everyday life.

Mission Teams

Volcano RF

The volcano Rock Fall Team, will monitor the rock fall on the Soufrière Hills volcano, learn how volcanoes work and how to predict danger.

Communication

The Communication Team keeps Mission Control informed about the ever changing conditions on the Island.

Hurricane

The Hurricane Team will study how hurricanes work, analyze and track the storm using real-time data and learn how to predict danger.

Volcano VT

The volcano Volcano Tectonic Team, will monitor the volcanic tectonics of the Soufrière Hills volcano, learn how volcanoes work and how to predict danger.

Data

The Data Officer keeps Mission Control updated by inputting data readings from all teams into a data log.

Technical Requirements

Videoconferencing system (a computer with a web cam at a minimum)
4 Computers
Software (free and available on the Internet)
Internet link
LCD Projector
Printer (network, optional)
Camera (optional)

All computers (a student Research Team is optional) are linked to the Internet.
The Communications Team uses the videoconferencing system as well as one computer that requires the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. The videoconferencing system can be a dedicated videoconference unit such as Polycom or Tandberg or a computer equipped with a webcam, a microphone, speakers, and videoconferencing software such as Microsoft Netmeeting.
The videoconferencing system also permits Mission Control to see the students during the mid-mission and end-of-mission briefings.
The Volcano, Hurricane, and Evacuation Teams (Computers #2, #3, and #4) require up-to-date versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
All required software is specified below.
A computer projection device and a large screen located in the front of the room permits the students to see the Mission Commander and watch several videos during the mission.It is also helpful for the students to see the "chat" window on a big screen.
A camera is valuable for recording the excitement of the mission.

Note: A computer lab may be too crowded. Typically labs are arranged in permanent rows. This does not permit team communications or the required flow of foot traffic.

Communications Team (2 students in front of room)

An extra computer equipped with a webcam, microphone, speakers and videoconferencing software, such as Google Meet
Internet link
LCD projector

Hurricane, Volcano and (Optional) Research Team Locations
Hurricane and Volcano Teams have between 4 and 8 students and should be located on the sides of the room. The optional Research Team should have between 2 and 4 students, all located at the rear center of room. The technology requirements for these teams are the following:

2-3 Computers (one per team)
Optional Printer (network)