Masters of Disaster Quiz Bowl Rules

One fun way to teach students about disasters and disaster preparedness is with a Masters of Disaster Quiz Bowl. Feel free to modify both the rules and questions. This Quiz Bowl was done recently at Boston's Timilty Middle School. Student enthusiasm was quite high and the amount of information the students were able to absorb was impressive!

Procedures for "Roundabout" Competition:
Two teams of five players (with one alternate for back up) face each other on the state.

There will be 10 seconds on the clock to answer each question. Each correct answer on the first attempt is worth 2 points. On the second attempt, the answer is worth 1 point.

The goal of the first quarter is for individual players to keep possession of the five-part questioning sequence for their team.

A judge asks a question to players on the team that wins the coin toss.

This team answers questions until they either correctly answer a sequence of five questions or until a player misses a question. If Team A misses a question, Team B has an opportunity to gain possession by correctly answering the missed question. If the question is answered correctly, Team B has gained possession and 1 point. They then get a five-question sequence. However, if Team B misses the question, Team A maintains possession and no points are scored. This team maintains possession until they have either had the opportunity to finish answering a total of five questions or until they miss another question.

Procedures for One on One Competition
Two teams of five players (with on alternate for back up) face each other on the stage.

This round is a one-on-one speed contest.

Opposing players from each team are asked questions according to the sequence of the numbered chairs. For example, the judge asks the first question to the two players on each team in chair one.

If a player presses the buzzer while the judge is reading the question, the judge must stop reading the question at once and the player must state an answer to the unfinished question.

Once a player buzzes to signal an answer, the question cannot be repeated.

The judge shall recognize the first player to press the buzzer. A player has five seconds to state the answer.

If a player gives a correct response, two points will be awarded to the team.

If a player misses a question, 1 point is deducted from the team score. The judge will state the correct answer and go onto the next two contestants on the team.

Note: It is recommended that winning teams compete against each other in semi-final and then final competitions. Teachers can write additional questions using the FEMA for Kids Web site text or other sources.

Masters of Disaster Quiz Bowl
Possible Questions

SHORT ANSWER

• What is the most important item to store in a disaster supply kit?
  WATER
• Water should not be stored in what types of containers?
  MILK CARTONS OR GLASS BOTTLES
• How many quarts of water per person per day should be stored in a disaster supply kit?
  4 QUARTS/ ONE GALLON
• The water supply in a disaster supply kit should be able to last for how many days?
  3 DAYS
• What substance may be used to purify water?
  BLEACH
• How many drops of bleach can purify a quart of water?
  FOUR
• Name any five items that should be in a first aid kit.

STERILE ADHESIVE BANDAGES

STERILE GAUZE PADS

HYPOALLERGENIC ADHESIVE TAPE

BANDAGES

SCISSORS

TWEEZERS

SEWING NEEDLE

SOAP

ANTISEPTIC

THERMOMETER

PETROLEUM JELLY

SAFETY PINS

MOISTENED TOWELETTES

LATEX GLOVES

ASPIRIN/PAIN RELIVER

SUNSCREEN

ANTI-DIARRHEA MEDICINE

ANTACID

SYRUP OF IPECAC

LAXATIVE

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

• Name any five items, besides food and clothing, that should be in a Disaster supply kit.
  MESS KITS/DISPOSABLE CUPS, PLATES, & UTENSILS
  BATTERY OPERATED RADIO
  EXTRA BATTERIES
  FLASHLIGHT
  CAN OPENER (NON-ELECTRIC)
  UTILITY KNIFE
  FIRE EXTINGUISHER
  PLIERS
  TAPE
  COMPASS
  MATCHES (IN WATERPROOF CONTAINER)
  ALUMINUM FOIL
  SIGNAL FLARES
  PAPERS & PENCILS
  NEEDLE & THREAD
  SHUT-OFF WRENCH TO TURN OFF THE GAS AND WATER
  PLASTIC SHEETING
  WHISTLE
  TOILET PAPER
  SOAP
  HOUSEHOLD CHLORINE BLEACH
  PLASTIC BUCKET WITH A TIGHT LID
  PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS
• Reducing the risk of disasters is known as:
  MITIGATION
• What can be installed in your home to keep the roof attached to the wall in the event of strong winds?
  HURRICANE STRAPS
• What can be used to protect windows and glass from flying debris?
  STORM SHUTTERS
• What non-government agency assists FEMA with helping people who have been in a disaster?
  THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
• What should be installed every six feet on the outer edges of your house to keep the house and its foundation intact?
  ANCHOR BOLTS
• What are floods that happen very quickly called?
  FLASHFLOODS
• Which natural disaster is most common in the U.S?
  FLOODS
• What are the heavy waves associated with a hurricane called?
  STORM SURGE
• How many categories are hurricanes classified by?
  FIVE
• What are severe storms that form in the Pacific Ocean called?
  TYPHOONS
• If you hear a hurricane warning on T.V. or the radio it means that a hurricane is expected to reach land within how many hours?
  24
• What is the calm period during a hurricane called?
  EYE (OF THE STORM)
• Which natural disaster is considered the most violent?
  TORNADO
• What is the area of the country most at risk for tornadoes called?
  TORNADO ALLEY
• What are the tremors felt after an earthquake called?
  AFTER SHOCKS
• What is an important item to have in your house to protect your family from fires?
  SMOKE DETECTOR AND/OR FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• What are heavy snows and strong winds that produce a blinding snow called?
  BLIZZARD
• What is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground called?
  SLEET
• If you're inside a building and begin to feel the shaking of an earthquake what should you do?
  DROP, COVER, & HOLD ON (GET UNDER SOMETHING HEAVY OR STURDY - DESK OR STAND IN DOOR FRAME)
• If you're riding in a car and see the funnel shape of a tornado what should you do?
  GET OUT OF THE CAR AND LIE DOWN IN A LOW PLACE
• If you hear a tornado warning at home what should you do?
  GO TO THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME (BASEMENT, STORM SHELTER, OR INTERIOR ROOM W/O WINDOWS)
• If you smell smoke and find a fire burning somewhere in your house what should you do?
  SHUT THE DOOR
  GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
  CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE
• If you're outside on the ballfield when a lightning storm starts and you can't get to shelter what should you do?
  CROUCH LOW TO THE GROUND
  SIT ON BALLS OF YOUR FEET
  STAY AWAY FROM TREES & METAL OBJECTS
• If the smoke detector goes off in the middle of the night what should you do?
  GET OUT OF THE HOUSE IMMEDIATELY
  MEET AT YOUR FAMILY'S OUTSIDE MEETING PLACE
• What should your family do to get ready for a disaster?
  PUT TOGETHER A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
  DISASTER KIT
  DETERMINE MEETING PLACE
  IDENTIFY RELATIVE TO CALL IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER
• What kind of roof should you put on your house to help protect your home from wildfires?
  TILE OR FLAME RETARDANT SHINGLES
• What type of containers should you store water in for your disaster supply kit?
  PLASTIC (SOFT DRINK BOTTLES)
• What are you creating when you clear plants, bushes, firewood, and trash away from your home?
  A SAFETY ZONE (from wildfires)
• In what direction do hurricanes rotate?
  COUNTER-CLOCK-WISE
• When is the hurricane season in the United States?
  JUNE 1-NOV. 30
• Name at least three bodies of water in which hurricanes may form.
  ATLANTIC OCEAN
  CARIBBEAN SEA
  GULF OF MEXICO
  (EASTERN) PACIFIC OCEAN
• What causes the power of hurricanes to increase?
  THE EVAPORATION OF SEAWATER
• What time of year do tornadoes occur?
  ALL YEAR
• Which natural disaster cannot be predicted?
  EARTHQUAKES
• What is rain that freezes when it hits the ground called?
  FREEZING RAIN
• What kind of warning is issued when severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two?
  WINTER STORM WARNING
• Name at least two things should should strap down in your house to prepare for earthquakes?
  HEAVY FURNITURE
  BOOKSHELVES
  CUPBOARDS
  REFRIGERATOR
  WATER HEATER
• Hurricanes with wind speeds greater than 155 mph fall into what category?
  CATEGORY FIVE
• How do hurricanes gather heat and energy?
  CONTACT WITH WARM OCEAN WATERS
• Where do earthquakes occur?
  ALONG FAULT LINES
• Which natural disaster is not affected by the weather?
  EARTHQUAKES
• Which natural disaster creates a danger for people who live in forests, prairies, or wooded areas?
  WILDFIRES
• What can you use to melt ice in the winter?
  (ROCK) SALT

FACT OR FICTION

• FEMA employees who are on stand-by to respond to a disaster are known as Disaster Assistance Employees - FACT
• Milk cartons or glass bottles should be used to store water for a disaster supply kit - FICTION
• Water can be purified by using soap - FICTION
• Liquid bleach should have 10 percent sodium hypochlorite - FICTION
• A disaster food supply kit should include fresh fruits and vegetables - FICTION
• Water heaters should be straped to a nearby wall to prevent it from falling on someone or starting a gas-related fire - FACT
• A homeowner should put a wood shake roof on his house to protect it against wildfires - FICTION
• You should create a safety zone around your house that separates your home from plants and bushes that can burn easily - FACT
• It is O.K. to walk through moving flood waters if the water does not come above your waist - FICTION
• A Flash Flood Warning means that a flood may occur later on in the day - FICTION
• Hurricane winds greater than 155 miles per hour are classified as Category One - FICTION
• A Hurricane Watch means that a hurricane is possible within 36 hours - FACT
• Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clock-wise direction - FACT
• In the U.S., the hurricane season extends from April 1 to November 30 - FICTION
• Hurricanes only form in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico - FICTION
• The evaporation of seawater decreases the power of hurricanes - FICTION
• Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters - FACT
• Hurricanes have winds at least 74 miles per hour - FACT
• Category Three hurricanes have winds between 131 and 155 miles per hour - FICTION
• Tape will prevent windows from breaking during a hurricane - FICTION
• Tornado winds can reach 500 miles per hour - FICTION
• Tornadoes can damage an area one mile wide and 50 miles long - FACT
• Tornadoes only occur during the Spring months - FICTION
• A Tornado Watch means that a tornado has been sighted and you should take shelter immediately - FICTION
• Earthquakes cannot be predicted - FACT
• Earthquakes usually last about four or five minutes - FICTION
• A magnitude 3.0 earthquake is considered strong - FICTION
• You should not get in an elevator during an earthquake - FACT
• If you are indoors during an earthquake, you should take cover under a heavy table or desk - FACT
• We can prevent earthquakes from happening - FICTION
• Earthquakes usually happen in the morning - FICTION
• There is no connection between earthquakes and weather - FACT
• The number of earthquakes increases each year - FICTION
• About 5,000 people in this country are killed by fires every year - FACT
• If you are caught in a fire, you should stay low to the ground - FACT
• Rain that freezes when it hits the ground is called freezing rain - FACT
• A Winter Storm Warning means that severe weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two - FICTION
• You should light candles all over your house during a winter storm - FICTION
• Mittens are warmer than gloves - FACT