WV State Standards: Math: M.O.G.3.16 Science: SC.9.1.3,  SC. 9.1.4,  SC.9.2.1, SC.9.2.3, SC.9.2.7, SC.9.2.8, SC.9.3.1, SC.9.3.2, SC.9.3.3, SC.9.3.4, SC.9.4.32, SC.9.4.36, SC.9.4.37, SC.9.5.3, SC.9.5.4 National Standards:  Math: 1,3,5,8 Science: 2, 8, 9, 10 Technology: 2, 4, 5, 6 Blooms Taxonomy: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation 21st Century Skills: Creativity and intellectual curiosity, Critical thinking and systems thinking, Problem identification, formulation, and solution, Thinking and problem-solving skills, Information and media literacy skills, Interpersonal and collaborative skills, Accountability and adaptability

Objective(s)

• Students will experiment with different types of building designs to determine their ability to withstand shaking.
• Students will research different earthquake resistant design ideas.
• Students will physically build a structure based on their research to withstand shaking.

Time Required

Six fifty minute class periods.

Pre-Requisite Skills

None

Calculators, Computer/Internet

Materials for exploration activity (popsicle sticks, sugar cubes, string, marshmallow, fruit roll ups, sticks, rocks, legos, glue, scissors, plastic knives, etc.), Design Internet sites (see links below), Earthquake Shaker, contest rules

1. Students will experiment with different basic designs for houses (usually one period).  They will be given three different Sets of Materials and will be asked to engineer a structure out of each.  They should make a hypothesis about the success of each structure, test it, and analyze the results.
2. Students will research current earthquake design ideas (usually one period).  Starting points include IDEERS or The Learning Channel.
3. Students will engineer a structure for our earthquake resistance competition (usually three periods) in accordance to Contest Guidelines.
4. Structures will be tested and graded (usually one day) in accordance to the Testing Guidelines and Judging Guidelines.

The teacher can assist students who need help locating information.  To address various learning styles and levels, the number of topics to research could be reduced.

This lesson could be tied to a mathematics lesson on area calculation.

Judging Guidelines