Identify criteria and constraints: Your challenge - What is the tallest earthquake proof structure your group can build? You are limited to using only the following materials in your actual structure: 10 Pieces of Spaghetti, 20 Marshmallows, and 30 centimeters of Tape. and most of these deaths are a result of collapsing buildings ( Source). Identify the problem: Many people die each year from earthquakes ( Source). I introduce the challenge by explaining what they are going to be do using the engineering design process.įor example, I go over some of the following points: I let students also get their own spaghetti noodle pieces so they can ensure each piece is to their liking (and again, it saves me time so I don't have to count them out for 24 groups that may do this in a day). I do not count out marshmallows, but use the honor system and have a cupful easy to access at each table. To setup, I have all the materials (for the most part) ready to go at each lab space. The USGS has a TON of great resources for other lesson ideas to follow or precede this instructable activity. Lucy Jones is very active on Twitter and worth following. Another relevant video about why you do not prepare for earthquakes is also worth a watch. Ross Stein is a leading earthquake expert (ahem, geophysicist) and has a great ted talk about earthquakes. Just like students often watch YouTube videos to learn new things, we as teachers turn to the internet to find out interesting and important connections to make our instruction relevant and rigorous for our students. This is enough for 6 lab groups (with the exception of buying spaghetti and marshmallows from your local grocery story).īasically I used these materials because I ALREADY had them and you likely do to! Also, there are other ways of making shake tables, so use the method that matches materials you already have on hand.ĭepending on your teacher education background, or your personal interests, earthquakes may or may not be your "thing". Considering all these materials can also be used for other purposes, it's very cost effective. Shake Table (Medium size Sterilite storage container with holes, 4 rubber bands (large 7 inch size), 4 binder clips, hard base about 8" x 10" in size like a clipboard or handheld dry erase board)Īs a teacher, for about $70 (at the time of writing this) you can get a bulk pack of 6 Sterilite containers (I use this all the time, not just for this activity!), 9 rolls of masking tape, a bag of rubber bands (honestly, these are likely in your school supply closet!), boxes of binder clips, and 12 dry erase boards (again, I use these all the time for other purposes too).Building Materials for Each Student Group:
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