Didactic experience in school Geography for risk prevention. The case of the 2024 DANA in Valencia

Abstract

The 2024 isolated high altitude depression (DANA), which caused severe damage and 227 fatalities in the province of Valencia (Spain), has highlighted the need to improve education on flood risk and prevention, among other areas, through school geography. This paper describes a didactic experience implemented during the 2024-2025 school year in a primary school in the city of Alicante, as part of the Natural, Social, and Cultural Environment Studies syllabus. The aim was to engage students in the analysis and understanding of extreme atmospheric phenomena, such as torrential rainfall and flooding,focusing on the DANA of 29 October 2024. Through practical and collaborative activities, this experience sought to raise awareness of the importance of risk prevention and management, not only within the school community but also among students’ families, in order to contribute to building greater social resilience as regards present and future climate change scenarios.