Natural Disasters - FREE Video Worksheet - Middle School Earth & Space Science

Why do natural disasters happen? Can we predict them? How do they affect human populations? Natural disasters - from earthquakes and hurricanes to floods and wildfires - result from natural Earth processes. Understanding these hazards helps communities prepare, respond, and reduce their impact on human lives and property!

[Preview this free video here on YouTube]

Standards:
Perfect for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students studying Earth's systems, natural hazards, and human-environment interactions. This video aligns with 🎯 NGSS standard MS-ESS3-2, exploring how to monitor and minimize human impacts from natural hazards.

TEKS Addressed: 
🎯 Middle School Science: 8.10.A - The student is expected to describe how energy from the Sun, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact and influence weather and climate

 

⭐ What's Covered?:

✅ What makes a natural event a "disaster" vs just a natural process

✅ Major types of natural hazards: geologic, atmospheric, and hydrologic

✅ How plate tectonics cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

✅ How atmospheric conditions create hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms

✅ Why some natural hazards are predictable while others strike suddenly

✅ How human choices affect disaster impacts (location, preparation, building codes)

✅ Real examples: 2011 Japan earthquake/tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, California wildfires

 

What will the students be doing?

● Students will be given either a printed or digital handout to record answers on.

● Either individually or as a class watch the video

● Then, they will use the video and their own knowledge to answer the questions.

● Use questions to spark discussions and apply information beyond the page!