Development and Practice of a Primary Education Program Covering Various Flood Control Methods Including Traditional Flood Control

Abstract

  The philosophy of river management has changed towards the proper integration of modern flood control methods and traditional flood control methods. Such changes in the philosophy need to be shared not only between the flood control administration and flood control specialists, but also with the public. However, there are few teaching materials that reflect this philosophy in both science education and social studies education. Therefore, we developed and practiced a program for primary schools to teach various flood control methods including traditional flood control of Anou River, Mie Prefecture, where traditional flood control methods continue to be used. The flood

  control methods taken up in the program are as follows:

  ・Strong levees made of concrete

  ・Levees that are partly lowered to allow water to flow into the reservoir

  ・Levees that are discontinuous to allow water to flow into the reservoir

  The program consists of the following contents:

  1. Visiting the Anou River and making river maps.

  2. Recognizing dangerous places and their conditions by reading hazard maps.

  3. Learning three types of levees using jigsaw methods.

  4. Visiting the levees.

  5. Learning about the Anou River management plan from the prefecture's flood control officer.

  6. Building levee models using a 3D printer.

  The level of student’s understanding was generally high, and they were able to obtain a more precise and systematic understanding of flood control than known before participating in the program.