Content and photos courtesy of David Sattler
Issue 38, Spring 2007
 Tourists study the 11' long poster on display in Kho Lak, Thailand.Professor of Psychology David Sattler conducts projects around the world to examine responses to natural disasters. On December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami struck 12 countries, killed more than 250,000 people, and left 2.3 million homeless. During two trips to Thailand, Dr. Sattler and his research team interviewed hundreds of survivors in Khao Lak, Thailand. Many were fearful about future tsunami threats and did not have a good understanding about the warning signs of a tsunami, how to evacuate, or how tsunamis form.
"My husband and I are graduates of Western ('88 and '89) and were recently in Khao Lak, Thailand on vacation. I can't tell you the proud feeling I felt walking into the museum and realizing it was created by a Western Washington University professor and students as well as others from the Northwest. You did a great job capturing the social impact and presenting the scientific perspective. Well done!"
- Jana H., Western Washington University Alumni
Dr. Sattler came up with the idea to build a nonprofit educational museum which could provide information to large numbers of people and show how the tsunami formed, how it affected the environment and society, and how foundations, organizations, businesses, and individuals around the world rallied to help. Exhibits in the museum also could describe the warning signs of a tsunami, how to evacuate, and explain the new tsunami warning system being built in the Indian Ocean.
During summer 2006, Dr. Sattler worked with five WWU undergraduate students (Kelly Highsmith, Jaime Reeder Andrea Reinholz, Brittany Van Lant, Kate Weinberg) to research information, write text for the exhibits, and secure images. The images came from a variety of sources who willingly granted permission, as well from as Sattler's personal collection. 
Text on the exhibits is in Thai and English, and University of Washington students performed the translation. Nimnual Boe, owner of Bellingham's Thai House Restaurant, proofed the Thai text. She's also the sister of Pong Lim, who donated the museum space and oversees the museum in Khao Lak, Thailand.
In late October 2006, ATUS Graphic Design Consultant Rochelle Parry worked with Dr. Sattler to compile the enormous amount of information and create eight large exhibits ranging from five to eleven feet long, in just a little over one month. The posters were printed in the Student Technology Center and laminated off-site.
In December 2006, Dr. Sattler traveled to Thailand to establish the museum and set up the exhibits. He had custom wood frames constructed for the exhibits. In the first two months of operation, over 7,500 persons from around the world have visited the museum.
Schools in the Khao Lak area are struggling to meet student needs and provide meals and supplies. Donations from the museum are helping provide clean drinking water, food, school supplies, and mosquito netting for children at the local village schools. Providing support to local schools is an additional way the museum is helping the community.
Dr. Sattler has won the 2007 Social Psychology Network Action Teaching Award in recognition of this project and student involvement. The award recognizes "action teaching" that leads to a better understanding of psychology and to a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world.
Learn more... International Tsunami Museum
Creation of the exhibits
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