As global average temperatures rise, there has been an increase in the frequency and magnitude of meteorological natural hazards. To survive in the world and thrive in the work place, students need to utilize educational skills (such as creative thinking, non-routine problem solving, collaboration and systems thinking) and become independent thinkers. Such learning can be encompassed under the heading of education through science. This study strives to develop a research instrument, which meaningfully determines student preparedness for dealing with natural hazards, based on their education through science learning, including student understanding of the Nature of Science (NOS) and Nature of Technology (NOT). The instrument, piloted with students in grades 7th/8th and 10th/11th in North America and Europe, is designed to allow comparisons across cultures. Outcomes show that the devised instrument is suitable for determining student competences and understanding of NOS/NOT associated with values and attitudes for students from different cultural backgrounds, and determining awareness of natural hazards and the use of appropriate behavioural actions related to disaster risk reduction for students from different cultural backgrounds.