Volcanologist Dr. Andrea Verolino visits Nexus International School (Singapore)
Let’s be honest—how many 7-8-year-olds can say they’ve met a volcanologist?
Our Year 3 learners recently had an explosive learning experience when volcanologist, Dr. Andrea Verolino, visited Nexus to share his passion and expertise. As part of their Unit of Inquiry, How Forces Change the Natural Environment, the session offered a dynamic, real-world lens into Earth’s powerful natural phenomena.
The session gave learners a unique and exciting look into the world of a real scientist, sparking their curiosity and encouraging them to ask thoughtful, meaningful questions. It brought science to life in a way that felt real and relevant.
This kind of authentic, hands-on learning is exactly what we strive for at Nexus. It allows our learners to connect what they learn in the classroom with the world beyond it. When learners can see how their questions relate to real people and real experiences, their understanding deepens and their learning stays with them long after they’ve left the classroom.
A Glimpse into the Life of a Volcanologist
Dr. Andrea Verolino is a volcanologist who is currently working on volcano hazard-related aspects in Southeast Asia at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, where he is a Research Fellow.
For our learners, meeting Dr. Verolino was an invitation to dive deeper into science, ask questions, and recognise that behind every discovery is a curious mind just like theirs.
Dr. Verolino gave learners a look into what it’s like to be a volcanologist, explaining how his work involves more than just watching eruptions. He shared how he tracks volcanic activity using satellites, studies rock samples from remote and often dangerous locations, and uses models to simulate volcanic behaviour to predict future eruptions.
From the slopes of Stromboli to the icy expanses of Antarctica, Dr. Verolino’s stories painted a vivid picture of the dedication and adventure involved in his fieldwork. He talked about the challenges of working with nature’s most dramatic forces and how critical it is to understand volcanoes to keep communities safe.
“I felt how small I am in comparison to nature,” he shared, reflecting on his time on Stromboli. “It’s so important to respect the power of volcanoes, especially when they’re not well-monitored.”
Brilliant Questions, Big Ideas
Our learners asked some truly thought-provoking questions during Dr. Verolino’s visit, demonstrating their deep curiosity and critical thinking. They were keen to understand everything from how volcanoes might behave in space to what makes studying them so challenging.
For instance, one learner asked about volcanoes in space, leading Dr. Verolino to share the fascinating fact that Mars is home to the largest volcano in the solar system: Olympus Mons. Standing at an incredible 21 kilometres high, it’s more than twice the height of Mount Everest! This insight not only fascinated the students but also broadened their understanding of how volcanoes can form and behave in vastly different environments, even beyond Earth.
Other questions explored the practical challenges of studying volcanoes. Dr. Verolino explained how scientists study volcanoes in remote and extreme environments, like Antarctica, where they use specialized equipment and remote submersibles to collect samples from volcanoes beneath the water’s surface. He also shared that while many of the world’s volcanoes are well-studied, only about 25% of the ocean floor has been mapped, making the study of underwater volcanoes particularly tricky.
Learning that Transcends Classrooms
This experience complemented the Year 3 Unit of Inquiry, How Forces Change the Natural Environment. Dr. Verolino’s visit helped connect classroom concepts with real-world applications, showing our learners that science is something they can be a part of and pursue as a career.
Bringing real scientists into the classroom shows our learners that their questions have value and their curiosity has power. Who knows? One of them might be the next volcanologist studying Olympus Mons or monitoring an eruption from a satellite.
This session was made possible through Skype a Scientist, a global programme that connects classrooms with working scientists.
As Stephanie Thompson, our Digital Learning Coach, explains:
“Skype a Scientist gives learners direct access to experts in the field, making science more tangible, engaging, and relevant. It encourages curiosity by showing how scientific knowledge is applied in the real world.”
Thanks to this programme, Nexus learners have spoken with experts in marine biology, nanotechnology, environmental science, palaeoclimatology, aircraft engineering, and more.
Thank you to Dr. Verolino for bringing the wonders of volcanoes to life and showing our learners just how powerful curiosity can be. We’re also incredibly grateful to our brilliant Digital Learning Coach, Stephanie Thompson, whose efforts made this experience possible.
