Imagine this: A volcano is erupting on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat and thousands of people must be evacuated. Volcanic rock and ash are raining down on the island, while lava creeps toward cities and towns. At the same time, a massive hurricane is bearing down on the island. Roads are two-lanes, boat traffic and air traffic are halted and evacuating 13,000 people isn’t easy. A shuttle launch has sent astronauts into space to repair a satellite from which you desperately need information to aid in tracking both the volcanic eruption and the hurricane. The question is what do you do now?

That was the choice laid before students in Cindy Stuart’s class at Pikeville Independent High School, Wednesday as they participated in “Operation Montserrat.”