Abstract:

Natural hazards education frequently remains abstract, limiting students’ ability to understand and apply principles of risk evaluation in real-world contexts. This paper presents a structured approach to designing technology-enhanced learning environments that integrate physical simulation, digital resources, and inquiry-based pedagogy to support meaningful education on natural hazards.

Developed within the QuakeQUEST initiative, the framework combines shake-table simulations, modular structural models, and guided experimental scenarios to enable students to investigate key seismic phenomena—such as wave propagation, resonance effects, and structural response—while also engaging with a broader spectrum of hazard-related concepts and contexts. These examples illustrate a broader portfolio of adaptable activities that address multiple dimensions of natural hazard education.

Physical investigations are enhanced by digital materials, visualizations, and online resources that broaden learning beyond the experimental setup. These resources facilitate reflection, comparison, and contextualization. The learning environment is purposefully designed to integrate scientific understanding, analytical risk evaluation, and societal awareness of resilience and mitigation strategies.

Activities are conducted in both formal classroom settings and informal educational environments, providing immersive experiences that enhance understanding and engagement. By integrating physical modeling with technology-enhanced learning strategies, the proposed framework offers a scalable, transferable model for creating engaging, effective educational environments focused on natural hazards.

Acknowledgement:
This work is supported by the QuakeQuest Immersive Educational Earthquake Simulation Project (PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-1386), funded by the Ministry of Education and Research through UEFISCDI, within PNCDI IV.

Keywords:

Technology, Experiential Learning, Interactive Simulation, Learning Environments, Natural Hazard Education.