Kenya School Seismology Project

Education and Outreach

Program Plan

Seismology provides a window into the inaccessible Earth and is fundamental for understanding our dynamic planet. It allows us to prospect for and benefit from Earth’s natural resources, and to assess and mitigate its earthquake and volcanic hazards. Seismology plays a vital role in monitoring man-made and natural seismogenic events ranging from small industrial explosions to the ringing of the entire Earth. Appreciating and understanding seismology’s scientific and societal relevance requires knowledge of  geology and physics, often coupled with elements of oceanography, electronic and computer instrumentation, civil engineering, public policy, and other disciplines. Seismology is thus an engaging and quantitative science exhibiting a myriad of connections to broader areas of science and society. As such, it can be illustrative of both the predictive power of simple physics-based models, and of the astounding complexity of Earth systems science.

Maseno Seismological Laboratory Centre (MSLC) is a National Science Organization collaborated with Kenya Metrological Department, local universities and affiliate with international research institutions. Since its 2009, inception MSLC activities have catalyzed unparalleled growth in high-quality seismic data and associated groundbreaking research. MSLC recognizes the potential for professionally coordinated Education and Outreach activities in seismology and associated Earth sciences to significantly advance national awareness, interest, and understanding of science and mathematics.

MSLC E&O activities are designed for audiences ranging from primary students to the general public, and are focused where MSLC is well-positioned to make substantive contributions commensurate with its unique position as a large research university incorporating world-class research and data resources. Program goals will be advanced by the E&O staff in close collaboration with a diverse assortment of allies, including MSLC members and their institutions, secondary teachers, undergraduate institutions, science and news journalists, and science museums. MSLC will also work closely with other national Earth science teaching and research organizations, regional earthquake centers and agencies with strong mandates for public education, to maximize joint effectiveness and reduce redundancy. An increasingly important component of MSLC E&O will be contributions to complementary national Earth science initiatives, such as Earth Scope, the Digital Libraries for Earth Science Education (DLESE), and the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS), which offer significant nationwide venues to advance Earth Science interest and literacy.

A Focus on People

Activity                                                                   Audience

Educational Affiliates                                               Undergraduate institutions

Professional development for undergraduate           Undergraduate faculty

teaching

Professional development for Earth scientist’s       Graduate students and professional Earth scientists

working with  teachers

Professional development for teachers                   Teacher

A Focus on Products

Activity                                                                   Audience

Posters and one-page information sheets                Public and Secondary high school

Museum Exhibits                                                    Public and Secondary high school

Instructional Materials (Teachable Moments         Secondary high school

resources and other curriculum modules)

Introduction

Seismology is a broad science, fundamental to the study of earthquakes and volcanoes, prospecting and recovery of natural resources, and the evaluation of seismic hazards to buildings, power plants, pipelines, and other infrastructure. Seismology is also about probing the deep inaccessible interior of the Earth through thousands of kilometers of rock, and even about monitoring for clandestine nuclear explosions detonated under some remote desert. This unique blend of basic and applied research in Earth science and physics makes seismology an engaging and highly relevant topic for communicating the essence and excitement of science to students and the public. It is this excitement of scientific discovery and the importance of understanding the complex and dynamic Earth and society’s interactions with it that propels us to engage in outreach and education for all Kenya

Target Audiences for MSLC E&O Activities

Educational Level/Target Audience                     Benefit/Goal

General Public Increase                                          understanding, awareness, and appreciation of the

                                                                                 relevance of science and technology.

                                                                                 Provide relevant and understandable scientific information.

                                                                                 Build public support of science and Earth science in general,

                                                                                 and seismology in particular.

Young Children                                                        Stimulate science interest in young children; many scientists

                                                                                 developed their interest in science at a very early age.

Students/Teachers                                                    Improve quality of science teaching and learning, especially

                                                                                 Earth science learning.

                                                                                 Capitalize on the natural interest of young students in     

                                                                                 earthquakes,

                                                                                 Volcanoes, plate tectonics, and other high profile Earth science.

                                                                                 Increase quality and numbers of students entering college

                                                                                 with interests in Earth science.

Undergraduate Students/ College Faculty               Improve teaching in introductory Earth science courses and

                                                                                 provide future leaders with sufficient understanding of Earth

                                                                                 science issues.

                                                                                 Increase the number and quality of students selecting

                                                                                 Geophysics and Earth science as majors.

Graduate Students                                                   Provide graduate students with experiences that improve their

                                                                                 skills as scientists and educators. Open doors to a variety of                                     

                                                                                  careers.