Core Skills Analysis
Engineering
- Understood the importance of levees in preventing flooding and protecting communities.
- Learned about the engineering concepts involved in designing and constructing levees for stability and resilience.
- Explored the impacts of faulty levee designs and breaches on the surrounding environment and communities.
- Gained insights into the role of engineers in improving infrastructure to mitigate natural disasters like flooding.
Geography
- Discovered the geographical factors influencing the placement and effectiveness of levees in different regions.
- Studied the topographical considerations in levee construction to understand their impact on flood control.
- Examined how levee breaches can lead to changes in the physical geography of an area over time.
- Explored the relationship between human settlements, rivers, and levee systems in geographical contexts.
Tips
To further enhance understanding after watching 'Build it Bigger: On levee breach,' students can engage in hands-on levee building projects using household materials like clay, sand, and gravel to simulate different scenarios and explore the challenges faced by engineers. They can also research case studies of successful levee projects around the world to understand innovative solutions and best practices in flood control.
Book Recommendations
- Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America by John M. Barry: This book delves into the catastrophic flood of 1927 and its impact on history, society, and politics, providing a comprehensive look at the importance of effective flood management.
- The Control of Nature by John McPhee: Explores the efforts of engineers and geologists in their battle against natural forces, including a section on the Mississippi River and levee systems, offering insights into the complexities of managing natural disasters.
- The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell by Mark Kurlansky: While not directly about levees, this book discusses the interactions between humans, urban development, and the environment, providing a broader perspective on how human activities impact natural ecosystems and vice versa.