-Where are you from?
-Maricao.
-Do you think a tsunami will reach that area?
-Nooo!
-But you like to go to the beach, right?
-Of course!
-Well, you have to pay close attention, just in case a tremor occurs, so you can take cover from the cyclonic wave.

This is an example of a dialogue that experts and students had during the Puerto Rico Seismic Network Open House (RSPR by its Spanish acronym), which took place this past Friday, October 10, 2008, in the Rafael A. Mangual Coliseum of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). With the slogan No Child Left Inside, RSPR, in connection with the UPRM Geology Department, celebrated its seventh consecutive Open House, as part of Earth Science Week.

Representatives from the Government, and private industries participated in the event, as well as science teachers and students from diverse elementary and high schools throughout Puerto Rico. Participants had the opportunity to get informed about how to deal with different natural phenomenon that could affect the Island such as: flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamis, to name a few.

The purpose of the activity was to create consciousness among students about natural phenomenon and to prepare them to respond appropriately when one occurs.

In accordance with Seismic Network’s Director, Christa von Hillebrandt, this year’s objective was to generate a greater interest among children and teenagers about the Earth, and to encourage them to spend more time outside discovering and appreciating its marvels.

“The United States Geological Institute chose the slogan, No Child Left Inside, to motivate children to disconnect themselves for a while from the electrical appliances that entertain them so much, and go out and discover what nature has to offer. We know that nature challenges us with its natural phenomenon, such as tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes; that is why emergency management teams were invited, so that children learn to play outside in a safe manner,” explained von Hillebrandt.

Among the presenters was the National Meteorology Service (SNM by its Spanish acronym). Meteorologist Rafael Mojica highlighted the importance of that agency’s support of this open house.

“For SNM, participating in the Open House complements the educational part, it’s essential that the public understand and see weather concepts. When we talk about weather we think of hurricanes, and flooding, but we shouldn’t forget that it has to deal with what happens outside, if it is sunny, if it’s hot, if it’s cold. That’s why we share with students basic concepts, and instruments, we talk to them about hurricanes and the monitoring of problems in relation to tsunamis in Puerto Rico.”

This year 39 exhibitors participated in the Open House. Among them were: the State Agency for Emergency Management, the Department of Natural Resources, and Puerto Rico Highway Authority. As well as representatives from the United States Geological Institute, and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, Puerto Rico’s division. From UPRM, participants included members of the program Science on Wheels, the Student Society of Physics, and the Agronomist and Land Department.

This year the Open House impacted close to 3,500 students from public and private schools in Puerto Rico, as well as the university community.

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With the slogan No Child left inside RSPR, in connection with the UPRM Geology Department, celebrated its seventh consecutive Open House, as part of Earth Science Week.

The purpose of the activity was to create conciousness among students about natural phenomenon.

The purpose of the exhibits was to encourage children to spend more time outside discovering and appreciating nature’s marvels.

This year the Open House impacted close to 3,500 students from public and private schools in Puerto Rico, as well as the university community.

Courtesy photos