Hands-on Activity
Shaky Ground
Summary
In this activity, students will design a bridge or a building and observe how it performs in a simulated earthquake.
Then, they will revise their designs to make them stronger and perform the simulation again.
Overview
Topic:Engineering design and earthquakes
Real World Science Topics:
- An exploration of engineering design
- An exploration of the effects of earthquakes on structures
Objective
Students will gain an understanding of how earthquakes can affect structures like bridges and buildings. They will
also apply the principles of engineering design to construct, test, and modify structures in response to simulated
earthquakes.
Activity Difficulty Rating: 4
Each hands-on science activity has been ranked based on
difficulty of set up and how difficult they are to perform. The rating
scale is from 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most
complicated.
5-MINUTE REFRESHER
TAKE FIVE
Use these quick refreshers to prep for your next class.