Introduction
Introduction
Every year, around 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine area of responsibility. Some pass by quietly. Others change lives in a single night. Your barangay captain just asked your class for help. The community needs a short, clear guide so families know what to do before, during, and after a typhoon. You and your team will be the experts who make it.
Task
Task
Work in groups of four. Create a one-page Typhoon Safety Poster (paper or digital) for your barangay. It must explain how typhoons form, how to read PAGASA warning signals, and what a family should do before, during, and after a typhoon. Each group then presents the poster in 3 minutes.
Process
Process
1.Form your group and pick one role: Weather Scientist, Signal Reader, Safety Planner, or Designer.
2. Everyone reads the "How typhoons form" resources first.
3. Work on your own role:
- Weather Scientist: explain how warm ocean water, evaporation, and low pressure create a typhoon.
- Signal Reader: list PAGASA Wind Signals 1 to 5 and what each one means.
- Safety Planner: write a checklist for before, during, and after a typhoon, including a go-bag list.
-
Designer: plan the layout and pick simple pictures or drawings.
4. Meet as a group and share what you found. Fix any mistakes and cut anything confusing.
5. Build the poster together. Keep the words short so a grade schooler could understand it.
6. Practice your 3-minute presentation, then present.
Evaluation
Criteria |
4(Excellent) |
3(Good) |
2(fair) |
1(need to work) |
| Science content | All facts are correct and clearly explained | Mostly correct, small gaps | Some errors or missing parts |
Many errors |
| Safety plan | Complete before, during and after steps | Most steps included | Only one or two stages covered | Unclear or missing |
| Poster desing | Neat, easy to read, helpful visuals | Mostly clear | Cluttered or hard to follow | Hard to read |
| Team work and presentation | Everyone contributed and spoke clearly | Mostly contributed | Uneven effort | One person did of it |
Scale:
16 to 13 = Outstanding,
12 to 9 = Satisfactory,
8 to 5 = Developing,
04 and below = Beginning.
Conclusion
You now know how typhoons form, what the warning signals mean, and how a family can stay safe. Your poster could really help your neighbors. Before you finish, think about this: what is one thing your own family should do differently the next time a signal goes up? Share your answer with your group.
Credits
Credits and References
I would like to thank the following sources for the information used in this WebQuest:
- PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) for the wind signals, typhoon information, and weather bulletins. pagasa.dost.gov.ph
- NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) for the disaster preparedness guides. ndrrmc.gov.ph
- NASA Climate Kids for the simple explanations of how storms form. climatekids.nasa.gov
- Philippine Red Cross for the family emergency kit and safety tips. redcross.org.ph
- UP Resilience Institute, Project NOAH for the flood and hazard maps. noah.up.edu.ph
Curriculum Reference
Department of Education (DepEd), Grade 8 Science Curriculum Guide and Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC).
Images and Design
Add the source of every picture you use here (for example, "Typhoon image from NASA Earth Observatory"). If you drew your own visuals or made them in Canva, say so.
Template
This WebQuest was created using CreateWebQuest.com.
Created by:
LANRIA ABANTO, TCP(OCT 6,2026)
Teacher Page
TEACHER PAGE
Title: Ready Before the Storm: A Typhoon Safety WebQuest
Target Learners
Grade 8 Science students (ages 13 to 14). It fits the Earth Science unit on typhoons and disaster preparedness.
Overview
I made this WebQuest so students can learn how typhoons form and how to stay safe through real, local sources instead of just a textbook. Students work in groups of four and make a Typhoon Safety Poster for their barangay. Each group member takes one role, so everyone has a real job in the project.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this activity, students will be able to:
- Explain how typhoons develop and what affects their movement.
- Identify the PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals and what each one means.
- Create a before, during, and after typhoon safety plan for a family.
- Work with classmates to produce and present a clear, accurate poster.
Curriculum Link
This activity connects to the DepEd Grade 8 Science competency on explaining how typhoons develop and what governs their movement, plus the disaster risk reduction content. Please check the exact competency code in your MELC or Curriculum Guide before you submit.
Time Needed
Three 45-minute class periods:
- Day 1: Introduction, task, group roles, and research on the resources
- Day 2: Group sharing and poster making
- Day 3: Presentations and reflection
Materials Needed
- Computers, tablets, or phones with internet access
- Manila paper, markers, and coloring materials (or a free design tool like Canva for a digital poster)
- Printed copies of the rubric
Preparation Tips
- Open every resource link ahead of time to make sure it still works.
- If internet access is limited, print key pages from PAGASA and NDRRMC for students to read.
- Assign groups ahead of time so you don't lose class time.
Teaching Tips
- Remind students to keep the poster short and easy to read, since it's meant for the whole community.
- Check the Signal Reader's work closely. Wind signal details are the part students most often mix up.
- Walk around during research time and ask each group, "How do you know that source is reliable?"
Assessment
Students are graded with the rubric on the Evaluation page. You can also add a short exit question, such as "Name one thing your family will do before the next typhoon."
Extension Ideas
- Invite a barangay DRRM officer to listen to the presentations.
- Have students post their posters in school or in the barangay hall.
- Ask students to check the Project NOAH hazard map for their own area.